The Meaning of shitsukoi [しつこい] In Japanese

しつこい
しつこい
Romaji: shitsukoi N4

What does しつこい mean?

Translation and Meaning

persistent, nagging, pushy, stubborn

Definition

Overly persistent and insistent, often used to describe someone who pushes for compliance or demands more attention than is reasonable.

Type

adjective (i-adjective)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • 1) annoying persistence in seeking a response or result, causing irritation
  • 2) tenacious or stubborn adherence to a course of action, often despite obstacles
  • 3) in social contexts, insistent or intrusive behavior, such as unwanted attention or advances

Usage

Used mainly in casual to neutral conversations to describe behavior that oversteps social boundaries; typically negative when directed at a person; can also describe lingering phenomena in informal contexts
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: visualize a person clinging to someone’s sleeve, refusing to let go; that image captures the core idea of shitsukoi as relentless persistence

Variations

  • 執拗な (しつような) romaji: shitsuyou na — meaning: relentless, tenacious (negative nuance)
  • 粘り強い (ねばりづよい) romaji: nebarizuyoi — meaning: persistent, tenacious (often neutral to positive)
  • antonym: あっさりした romaji: assari shita — meaning: light, non-persistent

Words with the same Meaning

Example Phrases

  • 彼のしつこい質問がまだ続いていて、私は本当に困っている。
    Kare no shitsukoi shitsumon ga mada tsuzuite ite, watashi wa hontō ni komatte iru.
    His persistent questions keep going, and I’m really troubled.
    Lista:
    • 彼の (kare no) – his
    • しつこい (shitsukoi) – persistent; nagging
    • 質問 (shitsumon) – question
    • が (ga) – subject marker
    • まだ (mada) – still
    • 続いていて (tsuzuite ite) – continuing
    • 私 (watashi) – I
    • は (wa) – topic marker
    • 本当に (hontō ni) – really
    • 困っている (komatte iru) – am troubled
    「しつこい」はい-adjective that directly modifies a noun; here it precedes 質問 to mean ‘persistent questions’.
しつこい