The word eigenwijs seems to be pretty simple, but I somehow keep on forgetting it over and over. In order to overcome this I am breaking it down.

eigen + wijs = eigenwijs

eigenwijs – stubborn, cocky
eigen – own, individual
wijs – way, manner

Eigenwijs seems to describe a person who prefers to have their own ways of doing things. The connotation is not very positive.

Doe niet zo eigenwijs! — Don’t think you know it all!