丈夫 vs 健全
Japanese word comparison
Listen to 丈夫
Listen to 健全
| 丈夫 | 健全 |
|---|---|
JOUBU adjective | けんぜん adjective |
| strong; durable; sturdy; healthy | sound, healthy, wholesome, in good condition |
How they differ
健全 often refers to a healthy state in a broader or more abstract sense, such as finances, systems, or mindsets. 丈夫 is more concrete and everyday, usually describing physical durability or a person's physical health.
When to use each
When to use 丈夫: Use 丈夫 for everyday talk about a person's health or an object being durable.
When to use 健全: Use 健全 when you mean that something is sound, healthy, or functioning properly in a more abstract way.
Side-by-side examples
- 彼は子どものころから丈夫だ。
(He has been healthy since he was a child.) - この会社の経営は健全だ。
(This company's management is sound.)
Register & nuance: 健全 is more formal and abstract than 丈夫, and it is less natural for ordinary physical durability.