頑丈

• Reading: がんじょう
• Romaji: ganjou
• Kanji breakdown: 頑 (gan) — stubborn, firm; 丈 (jō) — strong, stout
• Pronunciation: /ɡa.ɴ.dʑoː/

Meaning

Solid; sturdy; strong; stout. Describes something physically tough and durable.

A na-adjective meaning physically robust or strongly built. Applied to objects (頑丈な建物 — a sturdy building), materials (頑丈な素材 — durable material), and people (体が頑丈 — having a strong constitution). Implies resistance to damage or wear rather than mere size.

Examples

1. この棚は頑丈だから重い本を置いても大丈夫だ。 This shelf is sturdy, so it's fine to put heavy books on it.
2. 祖父は八十歳だが体が頑丈で元気だ。 My grandfather is eighty years old, but he has a strong constitution and is in great health.
3. 頑丈な靴を買ったので山登りに安心して行ける。 I bought sturdy shoes, so I can go mountain climbing without worry.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, construction, health, shopping

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 頑 (gan, stubborn/firm) + 丈 (jō, strong/stout). The combination conveys an unyielding, physically tough quality — something stubbornly resistant to breaking.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal