How to say "sturdy" in Japanese

• たくましいJLPT N1approx.Common
  i-adjectiveDescribes a burly, vigorous, sturdy physique — strength and healthy vigor of the body. It is usually written in kana alone.
  骨格こっかくたくましい体格たいかくなので彼かれは柔道家じゅうどうかでとおっている。↗

  With his muscular constitution he passes for a judoist.
• 強壮きょうそうCommon
  na-adjective, no-adjectiveSays 'sturdy' in the sense of a robust, able-bodied body — sound health and physical strength. It describes a person's constitution rather than made objects.
• 頑丈がんじょうJLPT N1approx.Common
  na-adjective, nounCovers 'sturdy' of physical objects: solid, firm, and stoutly built, as of furniture or construction that does not easily break. Also used of a stout, burly human build.
  これは掛かけるのにたいそう頑丈がんじょうないすだ。↗

  This is a very sturdy chair to sit in.
• 屈強くっきょうCommon
  na-adjective, no-adjectiveDescribes a brawny, muscular, powerfully built body — 'sturdy' only in the sense of a strong physique. It is not a word for solidly made objects.
• 頑強がんきょうCommon
  na-adjectiveCovers 'sturdy' as toughness and hardiness: strong in a way that resists attack, strain, or hardship and does not give in. Think of a tough constitution or stubborn resistance rather than solid construction.
  大男おおおとこが必かならずしも頑強がんきょうだとは限かぎらない。↗

  A big man is not always robust.

Use 頑丈 for solidly built objects and stout physiques, 「たくましい」 and 屈強 for vigorous, muscular bodies, 頑強 for toughness and hardiness, and 強壮 for robust, able-bodied strength.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• たくましいburly
• 強壮きょうそうable-bodied
• 頑丈がんじょうsolid
• 屈強くっきょうrobust
• 堅牢けんろうsolid
• 強健きょうけんrobust (health)
• ごついlarge and rough
• 頑健がんけんrobust
• 頑強がんきょうtough
• 究竟くっきょうrobust