強い vs 丈夫
JLPT N5 vocabulary · what is the difference?
強い means strong in force or ability — a strong wind, a strong player, a strong flavour. 丈夫 means sturdy: built so it does not break or wear out. A 丈夫なかばん survives years of use, while 強いかばん is not something people say. For the body both appear, and 体が丈夫 means rarely getting ill, while 体が強い leans towards physical power.
When to use each
強い
つよい
Use 強い where force, power or ability is being measured: wind, rain, a team, a drink, a taste, a personality. It is an い-adjective and takes が for the thing that is strong.
今日は風が強いです。
きょうはかぜがつよいです。
The wind is strong today.
あのチームはとても強いです。
あのチームはとてもつよいです。
That team is very strong.
丈夫
じょうぶ
Use 丈夫 for things that do not break, tear or wear out easily — bags, shoes, furniture, rope — and for a body that resists illness. It is a な-adjective: 丈夫な靴, この机は丈夫です.
この机は丈夫ですね。
このつくえはじょうぶですね。
This desk is sturdy, isn't it.
弟は体が丈夫で、あまり風邪をひきません。
おとうとはからだがじょうぶで、あまりかぜをひきません。
My little brother is robust and rarely catches colds.
Sentences where only one works
丈夫なかばんがほしいです。
じょうぶなかばんがほしいです。
I want a bag that will last.
A bag is judged by durability, not by force, so 丈夫. 強いかばん is not idiomatic.
このお茶は味が強いです。
このおちゃはあじがつよいです。
This tea has a strong taste.
Flavour is intensity, which is 強い territory. 丈夫 never describes taste.
雨が強くなってきました。
あめがつよくなってきました。
The rain is getting heavier.
Weather is force, so 強い. Note the adverb form 強く; 丈夫 would need 丈夫に and makes no sense here.
祖母は九十歳ですが、とても丈夫です。
そぼはきゅうじゅっさいですが、とてもじょうぶです。
My grandmother is ninety but very hale.
About health and resilience, 丈夫 is the natural word; 強い would suggest she could win a fight.
Common mistakes
この靴は強いです。
この靴は丈夫です。
Objects that must survive wear take 丈夫. 強い靴 sounds like the shoe has power of its own.
強いな人
強い人
強い is an い-adjective and never takes な. The な belongs to 丈夫: 丈夫な人.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use both for the body?
Yes, and they differ. 体が丈夫 means you rarely get ill and recover fast. 体が強い suggests physical strength or toughness. For health, 丈夫 is the usual choice.
Is 大丈夫 related?
It is the same 丈夫 with 大 in front, and the sense of being undamaged and all right is clearly connected, but treat 大丈夫 as its own fixed word meaning fine or no problem.
How do I say someone holds their drink well?
お酒に強い. That is 強い with に, and its opposite is お酒に弱い. 丈夫 is never used this way.