# 一意孤行

yī yì gū xíng

Persist stubbornly in one's own course

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Follow one intention alone

**Register:** Critical · formal

[Choices & judgment](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/decisions)

## When to use it

Criticize disregarding reasonable advice or objections.

Independent action can still be well considered.

## Understanding the expression

One intention dominates while other perspectives are shut out. The expression criticizes someone continuing a chosen course despite reasonable warnings or objections. Modern use often concerns risky decisions in teams, families, or management. It implies stubbornness rather than principled independence. A person may reasonably act alone after considering evidence, but the phrase applies when they refuse that consideration and insist that their first preference must prevail regardless of likely consequences.

## Examples

他一意孤行，拒绝检查设备。

### Traditional Chinese

他一意孤行，拒絕檢查設備。

tā yī yì gū xíng ， jù jué jiǎn chá shè bèi 。

He stubbornly refused to inspect the equipment.

别一意孤行，先听大家意见。

### Traditional Chinese

別一意孤行，先聽大家意見。

bié yī yì gū xíng ， xiān tīng dà jiā yì jiàn 。

Do not insist on your own way; hear everyone first.

经理一意孤行，项目损失很大。

### Traditional Chinese

經理一意孤行，項目損失很大。

jīng lǐ yī yì gū xíng ， xiàng mù sǔn shī hěn dà 。

The manager's stubborn decision caused major losses.

她没有一意孤行，而是重新评估。

### Traditional Chinese

她沒有一意孤行，而是重新評估。

tā méi yǒu yī yì gū xíng ， ér shì chóng xīn píng gū 。

She reassessed instead of stubbornly continuing.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E4%B8%80%E6%84%8F%E5%AD%A4%E8%A1%8C)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=252&webMd=1&la=0)

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