resistant / resilient
Loading your saved state.
durable
The quality of a material or object being robust, long-lasting, and resistant to external influences such as pressure, wear, or damage.
Für Arbeitskleidung wird ein besonders widerstandsfähiger Stoff verwendet.
A particularly durable fabric is used for work clothing.
The adjective is made up of 'der Widerstand' (resistance) and 'fähig' (able/capable). So it literally describes the ability to offer resistance or withstand something.
Dieses Material ist extrem widerstandsfähig und langlebig.
This material is extremely durable and long-lasting.
The adjective is very often used with the preposition 'gegen' (against) and the accusative. This construction describes what something or someone is resistant to.
Manche Bakterienstämme sind gegen viele Antibiotika widerstandsfähig.
Some bacterial strains are resistant to many antibiotics.
In connection with people, 'widerstandsfähig' (resilient) often describes mental strength, that is, the ability to deal with crises and stress. This is also referred to as resilience.
Kinder aus schwierigen Verhältnissen sind oft überraschend widerstandsfähig.
Children from difficult backgrounds are often surprisingly resilient.
strong
'stark' and 'widerstandsfähig' can both mean that someone or something handles difficult conditions well. 'stark' emphasizes strength or inner strength more. 'widerstandsfähig' emphasizes protection against external influences, for example pressure, illness, cold, pests, or stress. That is why the word works well for materials, plants, and also people. If you only want to say that someone has a lot of strength, 'stark' is more natural. If the point is that someone or something is not easily damaged, does not easily become ill, or does not easily become weak, 'widerstandsfähig' is more precise.
Diese Pflanzen sind widerstandsfähig und überstehen auch kalte Nächte im Garten.
These plants are hardy and can survive cold nights in the garden.
Meine Schwester ist stark genug, den schweren Koffer allein zu tragen.
My sister is strong enough to carry the heavy suitcase by herself.