たくましい
takumashii
The Japanese word for tough is たくましい (takumashii), which specifically describes someone or something that is robust or sturdy.
While English speakers often use 'tough' to mean a situation is difficult, たくましい is used to describe a person or entity that is physically or mentally robust, vigorous or sturdy. For more formal expressions regarding difficulty or hardship, you might use 困難 or use the verb 堪える to describe the act of enduring or bearing an emotional or mental challenge.
Meaning: difficult or demanding (adj)
Which one should you use?
In English, 'tough' can refer to a task being difficult. However, たくましい is used when you want to emphasize that something is robust or sturdy in a physical or mental sense.
How does it change in a sentence?
To turn the adjective into a noun meaning 'toughness' or 'robustness', change the final い to さ to get たくましさ. If you want to describe someone or something that was tough or robust in the past, use the past tense form たくましかった.
How do you pronounce it?
takumashii
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use たくましい to describe a difficult task or a hard problem.
Did you know?
- While English uses 'tough' for both a strong person and a hard task, using たくましい to describe a difficult math problem would sound like you are calling the math problem 'muscular'.
- To describe a 'tough' or 'hardy' plant that survives harsh winters, Japanese speakers use the word たくましい to praise its vitality.
- Japanese has several words for 'tough' depending on the material, such as 硬い for a hard surface and 丈夫な for a durable object.
Examples in context
- この仕事は本当に困難です。This work is truly tough.
- 彼は本当にタフだよ。He's really tough.
- この問題、むっちゃんこむずかしいねん。This problem is really tough.
Example conversation
Himari and Hiroto are discussing a friend who overcame a hard time.
- 陽葵 Himariあの子、本当にたくましいよね。Ano ko, hontou ni takumashii yo ne.That girl is really tough, isn't she?
- 大翔 Hirotoそうだね。あんなに頑張れるなんてすごいよ。Sou da ne. Anna ni ganbareru nante sugoi yo.Yeah. It's amazing that she can work that hard.
- 陽葵 Himari私も彼女みたいにたくましくなりたいな。Watashi mo kanojo mitai ni takumashiku naritai na.I want to become tough like her too.
- 大翔 Hiroto陽葵ならきっと大丈夫だよ。Himari nara kitto daijoubu da yo.I'm sure you'll be fine, Himari.
