robust
Resilient, stable, and built to last, so that something withstands heavy strain.
EXAMPLE
Diese Wanderschuhe sind sehr robust und für jedes Gelände geeignet.
These hiking boots are very robust and suitable for any terrain.
robust
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
robust
Physically strong, healthy, and resistant to illness or exertion.
EXAMPLE
Trotz seines hohen Alters hat er eine robuste Gesundheit.
Despite his advanced age, he has robust health.
robust
Stable and not sensitive to disruptions or fluctuations, for example with regard to a system, the economy, or a character.
EXAMPLE
Die deutsche Wirtschaft erwies sich in der Krise als erstaunlich robust.
The German economy proved surprisingly robust during the crisis.
Usage tips
Context clue
The meaning of 'robust' depends strongly on the noun it describes. With objects, it means 'stabil' (stable/sturdy); with people, 'kräftig' (strong); and with systems, 'widerstandsfähig' (resilient).
EXAMPLE
Mein altes Handy war sehr robust und ist nie kaputtgegangen.
My old phone was very robust and never broke.
Typical nouns (objects)
When referring to objects, 'robust' often describes things that have to withstand a lot. Typical combinations are 'robuste Schuhe' (robust shoes), 'robustes Material' (robust material), or 'robuste Möbel' (robust furniture).
EXAMPLE
Für die Gartenarbeit brauche ich eine robuste Hose.
For gardening, I need a robust pair of pants.
Typical nouns (people)
When 'robust' describes a person, it often refers to health or physique. Common phrases are 'eine robuste Gesundheit haben' (to have robust health) or 'ein robuster Charakter sein' (to be a robust character).
EXAMPLE
Trotz des kalten Wetters machte ihm die Wanderung nichts aus, er hat eine robuste Konstitution.
Despite the cold weather, the hike did not bother him; he has a robust constitution.
Figurative meaning
'Robust' can also be applied to abstract systems like the economy or IT. It then means that the system is stable and well protected against disruptions or crises.
EXAMPLE
Das Computersystem des Unternehmens ist robust gegen Hackerangriffe.
The company's computer system is robust against hacker attacks.
Compare with
robust vs stark
strong
When describing people, stark and robust can express physical resilience. Stark generally means having a lot of strength, while robust additionally emphasizes health and resistance to illness or exertion. Stark is suitable for pure physical strength, while robust is more appropriate for a physically resilient constitution.
robust
Nora ist robust genug, um die lange Wanderung trotz des kalten Wetters gut zu überstehen.
Nora is robust enough to get through the long hike comfortably despite the cold weather.
stark
Nora ist stark genug, um die schwere Kiste allein zu tragen.
Nora is strong enough to carry the heavy box by herself.
In real life
Loading video examples...