丈夫 vs 頑丈
Japanese word comparison
Listen to 丈夫
Listen to 頑丈
| 丈夫 | 頑丈 |
|---|---|
JOUBU adjective | がんじょう adjective |
| strong; durable; sturdy; healthy | strong, sturdy, solid, robust |
How they differ
頑丈 emphasizes physical solidity and toughness, especially for objects, buildings, or construction. 丈夫 is broader and can describe people, health, or things that are durable.
When to use each
When to use 丈夫: Use 丈夫 when you want a general word for something that is durable, hard-wearing, or a person who is healthy.
When to use 頑丈: Use 頑丈 when you want to stress that something is built to be physically tough and not easily broken.
Side-by-side examples
- このかばんは丈夫だ。
(This bag is durable.) - このかばんは頑丈だ。
(This bag is sturdy.)
Register & nuance: 頑丈 is common and neutral, but it is more often used for physical objects than for people.