Breakdown of Der Fleck ist zu hartnäckig, als dass ich ihn entfernen könnte.
ich
I
sein
to be
ihn
him
zu
too (e.g., too big)
können
can / to be able to
der Fleck
the stain
entfernen
to remove
als dass
than that
hartnäckig
stubborn (persistent)
Questions & Answers about Der Fleck ist zu hartnäckig, als dass ich ihn entfernen könnte.
Why do we use Konjunktiv II (könnte) here instead of the normal present tense (kann)?
The structure zu + [adjective] + als dass expresses a consequence that cannot happen because the condition is too extreme. Since your ability to remove the stain is unreal or impossible (because it is too stubborn), German requires the Konjunktiv II (könnte) to reflect this unrealized action.
Could I use an infinitive clause here, like saying um ihn zu entfernen?
You could say Der Fleck ist zu hartnäckig, um ihn zu entfernen, but that leaves the person doing the removing unspecified (meaning 'too stubborn to be removed'). Because you specifically want to say 'too stubborn for me to remove', you introduce a new subject (ich). When the subject changes between the two clauses, you must use als dass instead of um ... zu.
Why is the word als necessary here? Couldn't I just say zu hartnäckig, dass ich...?
No, als dass functions as a single fixed conjunction in this grammar pattern. Think of the zu (too) as triggering a comparison, similar to how comparatives use als (than). The literal feeling is that the stain is stubborn to a higher degree than that you could remove it.
What does hartnäckig literally mean, and can I use it for stubborn people too?
Yes, you can use it for people! Hartnäckig is made up of hart (hard or stiff) and Nacken (neck), literally meaning stiff-necked. It is commonly used for persistent people, stubborn problems, lingering illnesses, and tough stains.
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