拘り – What does Kodawari mean?

拘こだわり 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.

Obsession

拘り can be used for something specific or just to show someone that is generally obsessed about everything.

Or if you want to show you are a perfectionist you could say something like the following.

Preference or Pickiness

拘り means something that you have a strong preference for, or are picky about.

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.

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.

Or you want to to show how you feel about someone.

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.

Resources

• 拘り