頑 means “stubborn, firm”

がん · gan

Also: foolish, firmly

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading): かたくな
On'yomi (Chinese reading): ガン

JLPT N1 · Taught in secondary school · 13 strokes

The story

Two heads for one person: 元 and 頁 both began as figures drawn with an oversized head. A hard head that won't budge is 頑固, stubborn, a hard build is 頑丈, sturdy, and Japan's favorite word of encouragement, 頑張って, turns that stubbornness into grit.

Used in 頑張る (ganbaru, to persevere/do one's best), 頑固 (ganko, stubborn), and 頑丈 (ganjou, sturdy)

頑 means “stubborn, firm”

The story

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