こだわります（こだわります、kodawarimasu）
- to be particular

The Japanese verb こだわります, which is the polite-form of こだわる, conveys the idea of being particular about something, being fixated on a detail, having a strong preference for something, or being overly concerned about something. It implies a degree of meticulousness or a strong focus on a specific point, often to the exclusion of other things. It can have both positive and negative connotations. On the positive side, it can show dedication to quality or detail. On the negative side, it can indicate being overly picky, stubborn, or even obsessive. The base form こだわる translates to "to be particular about," "to stick to," "to fuss over," or "to be concerned about." The ～ます form adds politeness.

⚫︎彼は品質にこだわります。 Translation: He is particular about quality. ⚫︎私はデザインにこだわります。 Translation: I am particular about the design. ⚫︎彼女は細かいところにこだわります。 Translation: She is fixated on the details.

⚫︎Use こだわります when describing someone's tendency to pay close attention to specific details or aspects of something. ⚫︎It is appropriate in both formal and informal conversations. ⚫︎Be mindful of the context; while it can be positive, it can also suggest a negative trait. In a work setting, it can describe someone dedicated to quality. Outside of work, it can describe someone fussy or obsessed.

⚫︎This verb is typically written in hiragana as こだわります. ⚫︎The base form is こだわる. ⚫︎The kanji form 拘ります can also be used, but it's less common. The kanji 拘 means "to be arrested," "to be bound by," etc. ⚫︎The okurigana (suffix hiragana) is standard; it is always "ります" for the polite form.

⚫︎重視します (jyuushi shimasu) - to place importance on ⚫︎気を遣います (ki o tsukai masu) - to be careful about ⚫︎追求します (tsuikyuu shimasu) - to pursue (e.g., quality) ⚫︎固執します (koshitsu shimasu) - to be persistent, to cling to (negative connotation) ⚫︎細部にこだわります (saibu ni [こだわります]) - to pay close attention to the details

⚫︎気にしません (ki ni shimasen) - don't care about, not concerned about ⚫︎大ざっぱです (oozappa desu) - to be rough, to be imprecise, to be carefree ⚫︎こだわらない (kodawaranai) - do not care about

彼は素材にこだわりますので、いつも高級な服を着ています。 ・Translation: Because he is particular about materials, he always wears high-quality clothes. ・Explanation: This sentence illustrates a positive use of こだわります, describing someone who appreciates quality and therefore chooses high-end clothing.

彼女は服の色にこだわります過ぎて、いつもお店で時間がかかります。 ・Translation: She is too particular about the color of her clothes and always takes a long time in the store. ・Explanation: This sentence demonstrates a potential negative aspect of こだわります, highlighting someone's tendency to be overly fixated on a detail (color), leading to an undesirable outcome (taking a long time shopping).

The word こだわる is likely derived from the verb 固執(こしつ)する(koshitsu suru), which means "to cling to", "to persist in," or "to adhere to." It suggests the idea of "sticking to" something firmly, whether it's an idea, a detail, or a preference. The "koda-" part may relate to the concepts of solidity or rigidity, as in “固(かた)” (kata) meaning “hard” or “firm.” It’s important to note that the etymology of Japanese words can be complex and may not always have a single, definitive origin.