Vocab: kangekaelne

stubborn

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stubborn, persistent, persistently sticking with something, obstinate

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Building blocks

• kange- - “stiff”, “strong” or “rigid”

• -kael- - “neck”

• -ne - an adjective forming ending

So, "kangekaelne" literally translates to "stiff-necked," which conveys the meaning of someone stubborn or obstinate. The literal breakdown gives a vivid image of someone rigid or inflexible in their stance.

The term "kangekaelne" is a loan translation (a calque) from the German word "halsstarrig," which also literally means "stiff-necked"

How to use it:

Here are a few ways the word “kangekaelne” can be used ⬇️

1. Refusing to Change Opinion:

   • Poliitik oli kangekaelne ega tahtnud oma seisukohti muuta, kuigi talle esitati veenvaid fakte.

   • Translation: The politician was stubborn and did not want to change his views, even though he was presented with convincing facts.

2. Persisting Despite Challenges:

   • Ma jätkasin kangekaelselt probleemi lahendamist, isegi kui lahenduse leidmine näis võimatu.

     • Translation: I stubbornly continued solving the problem, even when finding a solution seemed impossible.

Examples

Kohtunik jäi kangekaelselt oma otsuse juurde

Literally: “Judge stuck stubborn-from his decision to”

Idiomatically: “The judge stubbornly stuck to his decision”

Kohtunik - Noun - Nominative Sg, "Judge"
jäi - Verb - 3P Past Sg, "stuck"
kangekaelselt - Adjective - Ablative Sg, "stubbornly"
oma - Pronoun - Genitive Sg, "his"
otsuse - Noun - Genitive Sg, "decision"
juurde - Postposition - Indeclinable, "to"