タフtafu

1. na-adjectivetough
   彼かれはタフだから少すこしのことではへこたれない。↗

   He won't be easily discouraged, because he's a tough guy.

• Synonym強いつよいNeutralThe broadest word for 'strong': physical power, ability, or will. 「タフ」 leans toward endurance under fatigue and rough treatment, and can also describe a tough situation.
• Synonym強靭きょうじんWrittenWritten/formal prose word for tough yet supple, as in 「強靭な精神」; stresses resilience. 「タフ」 is the more colloquial choice.
• Synonym頑丈がんじょうNeutralSolid and sturdily built, for people and objects alike; stresses sound construction or physique. 「タフ」 stresses withstanding wear and tear.
• Synonym屈強くっきょうNeutralBrawny and physically powerful, as in 「屈強な男」; about an imposing physique, not mental toughness.
• SynonymハードNeutralLoanword for hard, high-intensity things, as in 「ハードな仕事」 — mostly describes tasks. 「タフ」 covers both hardy people and tough situations.
• Synonym頑強がんきょうNeutralStubbornly unyielding, as in 「頑強に抵抗」; stresses holding one's ground and refusing to bend.
• Synonym強壮きょうそうNeutralPhysically robust and healthy, as in 「滋養強壮」; about a strong constitution, not spirit or negotiations.
• SynonymきついCasualColloquial: tight, exhausting, or harsh, as in 「仕事がきつい」「性格がきつい」; stresses being a strain, not withstanding it.
• Synonym手ごわいてごわいNeutralA tough, tricky opponent; synonymous with 「手強い」, not about physical endurance.
• Related強硬きょうこうNeutralHard-line and uncompromising, as in 「強硬手段」; about one's stance, not physical stamina.
• Related強力きょうりょくNeutralPowerful in force or effect, as in 「強力な磁石」; about potency, not endurance.
• Related強烈きょうれつNeutralIntense and striking, as in 「強烈な印象」; about impact, unrelated to stamina.
• Related達者たっしゃNeutralHale and hearty, or skilled and fluent, as in 「口が達者」; stresses good health or mastery of a skill.
• Related硬いかたいNeutralHard and firm, also stiff or stilted; stresses resisting deformation. 「タフ」 stresses withstanding wear.
• Related力強いちからづよいNeutralForceful and reassuring, as in 「力強い声」; stresses the impression of strength given.
• Related手強いてづよいNeutralSaid of a formidable opponent who is hard to handle; about being a tough customer, not about stamina.
• Related精強せいきょうWrittenWritten/formal prose word for elite strength, used mostly of armies and troops; not for personal physique.
• Antonym弱いよわいNeutralAntonym: weak in strength or ability; the opposite of the wear-enduring 「タフ」.
• Antonym繊細せんさいNeutralAntonym: delicate and easily hurt; contrasts with 「タフ」 in whether one can take blows and fatigue.

「タフ」 describes people who are physically and mentally resilient and can take fatigue, and also difficult situations, as in 「タフな交渉」. For solid, sturdily built things or bodies use 「頑丈」; for tough-but-supple resilience in formal prose use 「強靭」; for a formidable opponent use 「手強い」. 「強い」 is the all-purpose word for strong. The antonym is 「弱い」.

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

1. 頑丈がんじょうなさま。
2. 厄介やっかいなさま。