By Iswat Ishola, Francis Ikuerowo, Chiamaka Egwuchukwu, Saminu Yusuf Bena
Tenacious
(/tə-NAY-shuhs/)
Tenacious is an adjective used to describe someone or something that shows strong determination, persistence, and an unwillingness to give up, even in the face of difficulty or opposition. It refers to a firm grip on goals, beliefs, or efforts, holding on steadily until success is achieved.
For example, you might describe a student who keeps studying despite repeated challenges as tenacious, or say an athlete has a tenacious mindset if they continue pushing forward when others would quit. The word is often used to highlight inner strength, resilience, and mental toughness.
In Yoruba, the closest translation to tenacious is “Ìyànjú” or “Ìfaradà”
Examples
- Ìyànjú rẹ̀ ló ràn án lọ́wọ́ láti borí gbogbo ìdènà tó dojú kọ́.
(Her tenacious spirit helped her overcome every obstacle in her path) - Ẹni tí ó ní ìfaradà máa ń ṣiṣẹ́ kára,kódá ki àṣeyọrí ṣí jìnà
(A tenacious person continues trying even when success seems far)
In Igbo, tenacious is translated to “obi siri ike”
Examples
- Agwa siri Ike nke Sarah sitere na-oganihu nke ebumnuche oru ya
(Sarah’s tenacious character attributed to the success of her success goals) - Ada nwere mmuo obi ike
(Ada has a tenacious spirit)
In Hausa, “Mai jajircewa” or “mai ƙwazo” are common Hausa equivalents of tenacious
Examples
- Duk da ƙalubale da yawa, ta kasance mai jajircewa har ta cim ma burinta.
(Despite many challenges, she remained tenacious and achieved her goal) - Ɗalibin mai jajircewa bai taɓa yin kasa a gwiwa a karatunsa ba.
(The tenacious student never gave up on his studies)
In French, tenacious is translated to “tenace”
Examples
- Elle est une femme tenace qui n’abandonne jamais. (She is a tenacious woman who never gives up.)
- Ce problème tenace dure depuis des années.
(This tenacious problem has lasted for years.)
In Spanish, tenacious is translated to “tenaz”
Examples
- Ella es una persona tenaz y trabajadora. (She is a tenacious and hardworking person.)
- Fue una lucha tenaz por la justicia. (It was a tenacious struggle for justice.)
In German, tenacious is translated to “hartnäckig”
Examples
- Er ist hartnäckig und erreicht immer seine Ziele. (He is tenacious and always achieves his goals.)
- Der hartnäckige Regen hörte nicht auf. (The tenacious/persistent rain did not stop.)
Iswat Ishola is the lead contributor to this column, with additional language contributions from Francis Ikuerowo (French, German, and Spanish), Chiamaka Egwuchukwu (Igbo), and Saminu Yusuf Bena (Hausa).
