dogged / grim
Loading your saved state.
dogged
Fixed on a goal in a very persistent and often tense way, without ease or flexibility. It describes an intense, almost grim determination.
Sie trainierte verbissen für den Marathon, um ihre persönliche Bestzeit zu unterbieten.
She trained doggedly for the marathon in order to beat her personal best.
grim
Describes a facial expression that shows tension, suppressed anger, or extreme concentration, often with clenched teeth.
Mit verbissener Miene versuchte er, das schwere Gewicht zu heben.
With a grim expression, he tried to lift the heavy weight.
'Verbissen' is the past participle of the verb 'sich verbeißen' (to bite into something and not let go; to become fixated on something). Figuratively, it describes how a dog bites into something and no longer lets go. This persistence is transferred to people and their actions or facial expressions.
Er hat sich in die Idee verbissen und hört auf keine Ratschläge mehr.
He has become fixated on the idea and no longer listens to any advice.
When it is about determination, 'verbissen' (dogged) is often combined with verbs of action. Typical phrases are 'verbissen kämpfen' (to fight doggedly), 'verbissen arbeiten' (to work doggedly), 'verbissen diskutieren' (to argue doggedly), or 'ein Ziel verbissen verfolgen' (to pursue a goal doggedly).
Die beiden Mannschaften kämpften verbissen um den Sieg.
The two teams fought doggedly for victory.
To describe a tense facial expression, 'verbissen' (grim) is usually used with nouns for the face or parts of it. Common combinations are 'eine verbissene Miene' (a grim expression), 'ein verbissener Gesichtsausdruck' (a grim facial expression), or 'mit verbissenem Blick' (with a grim look).
Mit verbissener Miene verfolgte er das Rennen am Bildschirm.
With a grim expression, he followed the race on the screen.
persistent / stubborn
Both words can describe someone who sticks to a goal despite difficulties. “Hartnäckig” mainly refers to persistent determination and can have either a positive or negative effect depending on the situation. “Verbissen”, on the other hand, emphasizes a tense, inflexible, and often grim intensity. For ordinary persistence, use “hartnäckig”; for excessive fixation, use “verbissen”.
Der verbissene Trainer wollte das Problem noch in derselben Nacht lösen.
The dogged coach wanted to solve the problem that very night.
Die hartnäckige Trainerin suchte weiter nach einer Lösung für das Problem.
The persistent coach continued looking for a solution to the problem.
