拘り – What does Kodawari mean?
拘り is a word to express a fixation on something. It is used to show an obsession with details, strong preference or pickiness, and so on. In English, these words imply something negative but in Japanese, it is the opposite. Usually, 拘り applies something positive.
https://japaneseuniverse.com/2024/02/18/pac-man-in-japaneseconcepts-behind-development-to-global-icon/INDEX
Obsession
拘り can be used for something specific or just to show someone that is generally obsessed about everything.
日本語で上達することに拘っている
I am obsessed about improving my Japanese
Or if you want to show you are a perfectionist you could say something like the following.
私は拘りの強い人だ
I am a perfectionist
I am an obsessive person
Preference or Pickiness
拘り means something that you have a strong preference for, or are picky about.
太郎はファッションに強い拘りを持っている
Taro is picky about fashion
Again, there is not a direct translation so the above could be said in a number of different ways. In the example sentence we know that Taro is picky about fashion. This could mean that he has a strong individual preference for fashion, a strong fixation on a specific kind of fashion, or his own unique fashion. and so on.
Focus on something
Let’s say instead of all this talk about what words mean, you prefer to improve your grammar skills.
文法に拘りたい
I want to focus on grammar
This sentence could imply spending more time studying grammar, using some special technique to learn better or whatever.
Complaints or Concerns
拘り can also be used to show concern for something.
私は掃除に拘りがない
I don’t care about cleaning
Or you want to to show how you feel about someone.
その人に拘りがない
I’m not obsessed about that person
This would means something like I have no complaints or concerns about that person.
Specialty or Niche
This word can be used to show your talents or if you are a business something you are special at.
これはこのお店の拘り商品
This is the store’s specialty
Now you know the meaning of 拘り. If you want to learn more Japanese I reviewed a dictionary of grammar series which I personally recommend and use myself.
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