Most Popular Ways To Use しつこい and くどい

At a Glance

Yuka

My ex keeps texting me. It’s really しつこい！

Rei

That’s しつこい for sure. By the way, くどい is similar but different — it’s more about being long-winded or overdone.

Yuka

Oh right — my boss’s speeches are always くどい. He says the same thing five times!

Rei

Classic! Let’s break down exactly when to use each one.

しつこい: Persistent in a Relentless Way

しつこい (shitsukoi) describes someone or something that won’t give up or go away — a person who keeps pushing, repeating, or clinging past the point where it is welcome. The key idea is persistent repetition aimed at a person or goal.

Importantly, しつこい is not always negative. In a sports or business context, being しつこい can mean admirably tenacious — refusing to give up. Context determines whether it is a criticism or a compliment.

あの営業マンはしつこいな。
Ano eigyouman wa shitsukoi na.
That salesperson just won’t leave me alone.

彼女はしつこく聞いてくる。
Kanojo wa shitsukoku kiite kuru.
She keeps asking me over and over.

あのチームはしつこい守備で有名だ。
Ano chiimu wa shitsukoi shubi de yuumei da.
That team is famous for its relentless (tenacious) defense. (positive context)

この汚れはしつこい。
Kono yogore wa shitsukoi.
This stain is stubborn / won’t come out.

Notice that しつこい can describe stains, flavors, and even illnesses (a persistent cold) — anything that clings and won’t let go.

くどい: Long-Winded and Over-Elaborate

くどい (kudoi) focuses on excess — too many words, too much repetition of the same point, or a style that is overly ornate and heavy. While しつこい is about relentless pursuit, くどい is about saying or doing something more than necessary.

くどい has an important secondary meaning in food: a dish that is too rich, too heavy, or too thick — overwhelming the palate.

部長の話はくどい。
Buchou no hanashi wa kudoi.
The section chief’s speech is long-winded.

同じことをくどく繰り返さないで。
Onaji koto wo kudoku kurikaesanaide.
Stop repeating the same thing over and over.

このクリームソースはくどい。
Kono kuriimu soosu wa kudoi.
This cream sauce is too rich / heavy.

あの映画は演出がくどい。
Ano eiga wa enshutu ga kudoi.
That film’s direction is overdone / too heavy-handed.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Common Mistakes

English learners often use しつこい when くどい is the right word. Remember: if someone keeps repeating the same words or argument, that is くどい. If they keep coming back to bother you, that is しつこい.

Also note that くどい describing food is completely separate from the “long-winded” meaning and should not be mixed up. A dish being くどい means it feels heavy and overwhelming to eat — not that it is annoying in a social sense.

Quick Quiz

Test yourself! Choose しつこい or くどい:

1. The salesperson called me five times today. (______)
2. This cream pasta is too heavy for me. (______)
3. Stop repeating yourself — you already said that three times. (______)
4. My little brother keeps asking for a toy and won’t stop. (______)
5. The director’s cut of the film was two hours too long and overdone. (______)

Answers: 1. しつこい 2. くどい 3. くどい 4. しつこい 5. くどい

Practice with a Real Teacher

The best way to master Japanese is to practice with a native speaker. italki connects you with affordable online Japanese teachers for 1-on-1 lessons.

Related Articles