丈夫

• Reading: じょうぶ
• Romaji: joubu
• Kanji breakdown: 丈 (jō/take) — length, stature; 夫 (bu/fu/otto) — husband, man
• Pronunciation: /d͡ʑo.ɯ.bɯ/

Meaning

Healthy; strong; sturdy; durable. Describes physical robustness of people or objects.

A na-adjective with two main uses. For people, it means healthy and robust: 体が丈夫です (to have a strong body). For objects, it means durable and sturdy: 丈夫な靴 (sturdy shoes). Often appears in the set phrase 大丈夫 (daijoubu, all right/okay), which adds the prefix 大 for emphasis.

Examples

1. おじいさんはとても丈夫です。 Grandpa is very healthy.
2. この鞄は丈夫で長く使えます。 This bag is durable and lasts a long time.
3. 丈夫な体を作りたいです。 I want to build a strong body.

Usage Guide

Context: health, objects, daily life

Tone: positive

Origin & History

Composed of 丈 (length, stature — specifically the height of an adult man) and 夫 (husband/man). Originally described a full-grown, able-bodied man, and the meaning expanded to robust and sturdy in general.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal