constitution
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constitution
The physical and mental condition of a person; the totality of the body's innate and acquired characteristics.
Trotz seines hohen Alters hat er eine robuste Konstitution und ist selten krank.
Despite his advanced age, he has a robust constitution and is rarely ill.
constitution
The constitution of a state; the fundamental law that defines the form of government, the rights and duties of citizens, and the organization of state power.
Die neue Konstitution des Landes wurde in einer Volksabstimmung angenommen.
The country's new constitution was approved in a referendum.
composition / structure
The makeup, structure, or composition of something, especially in chemistry or other natural sciences.
Die chemische Konstitution des Moleküls bestimmt seine Eigenschaften und Reaktivität.
The chemical composition of the molecule determines its properties and reactivity.
The word 'Konstitution' (constitution) is rather formal in all of its meanings or belongs to technical language. In normal everyday language, it is used less often.
Der Arzt attestierte dem Patienten eine ausgezeichnete Konstitution.
The doctor certified that the patient had an excellent constitution.
The meaning becomes clear from the context. If it is about a person and their health, it refers to their physical condition. In connection with a state, it refers to the constitution. In the natural sciences, it means the structure of a substance.
Er hat eine schwache Konstitution und ist oft erkältet.
He has a weak constitution and often catches colds.
When it is about physical condition, 'Konstitution' (constitution) is often combined with the verb 'haben' (to have) and an adjective. Typical phrases are 'eine gute Konstitution haben' (to have a good constitution) or 'eine robuste Konstitution haben' (to have a robust constitution).
Meine Großmutter ist 90 Jahre alt und hat immer noch eine gute Konstitution.
My grandmother is 90 years old and still has a good constitution.
condition / state
When referring to a person, Zustand can describe their current physical or mental condition. Konstitution, by contrast, usually refers to their longer-term physical and mental constitution, including its innate and acquired characteristics. Zustand is therefore more appropriate for a temporary change.
Unabhängig von der Grippe hat er eine kräftige körperliche Konstitution.
Regardless of the flu, he has a strong physical constitution.
Wegen der Grippe ist sein körperlicher Zustand heute schlecht.
Because of the flu, his physical condition is poor today.
