shelf-stable / durable / tenable
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shelf-stable
Refers to food and means that it can be stored for a longer time without spoiling.
Milch ist nur wenige Tage haltbar, Konserven dagegen mehrere Jahre.
Milk is only shelf-stable for a few days, whereas canned goods last for several years.
durable
Refers to materials or objects and means that they are stable, robust, and resistant to wear.
Diese Wanderschuhe sind aus sehr haltbarem Leder gefertigt.
These hiking boots are made of very durable leather.
tenable
Refers to arguments, theories, or claims and means that they are logical, sound, and can be defended against criticism.
Seine Theorie war wissenschaftlich nicht mehr haltbar und wurde verworfen.
His theory was no longer scientifically tenable and was rejected.
The word consists of the verb stem 'halt-' (from 'halten' (to hold/last)) and the ending '-bar'. The ending '-bar' means '-fähig' or '-able' in English. So 'haltbar' means that something has the ability to 'halten'—that is, not to spoil, not to break, or to be logical.
Ist diese alte Behauptung heute noch haltbar?
Is this old claim still tenable today?
The meaning of 'haltbar' becomes clear through the noun. With food, it is about shelf life; with materials, about robustness; and with abstract things like theories or arguments, about logical soundness.
Diese Jacke ist aus einem sehr haltbaren Stoff gemacht.
This jacket is made of a very durable fabric.
In connection with food, the phrase 'mindestens haltbar bis' (best before) is very important. You will find this information (often abbreviated as 'MHD') on almost all food packaging.
Der Joghurt ist noch bis nächste Woche haltbar.
The yogurt is still good until next week.
When it comes to arguments, theories, or claims, 'haltbar' (tenable) is very often used in the negative form. The statement 'nicht haltbar sein' means that an argument or idea has been refuted.
Nach den neuen Entdeckungen war die alte Theorie nicht mehr haltbar.
After the new discoveries, the old theory was no longer tenable.
solid
Solide and haltbar can both describe the quality of an object. Solide emphasizes that it is stable and well made. Haltbar highlights that the material or object resists wear for a long time. Good workmanship may suggest durability, but it does not refer to durability directly.
Der Rucksack besteht aus haltbarem Material, das auch nach Jahren kaum abgenutzt ist.
The backpack is made of durable material that shows hardly any wear even after years.
Der Rucksack ist solide verarbeitet und macht einen stabilen Eindruck.
The backpack is solidly made and appears sturdy.
