le costaud

The French adjective "costaud" primarily means strong, sturdy, robust, or tough. It is often used to describe people, objects, or even animals that are physically strong or capable of enduring hard conditions.

Meaning:

• When used for a person: it describes someone who is physically strong, muscular, or stocky.
• For objects: it means something solid, well-built, or durable.
• Figuratively, it can also describe someone who is resilient or able to handle difficult situations.

Synonyms and differences:

• Fort: This is the general word for "strong." While "fort" can also apply to intellect or intensity (e.g., une odeur forte = a strong smell), "costaud" specifically emphasizes physical robustness or sturdiness.

• Solide: Means "solid" and refers more to structural stability or reliability rather than bodily strength. For example, a chair can be "solide" but not necessarily "costaud."

• Robuste: Very similar to "costaud," emphasizing resilience and sturdiness. More formal than "costaud."

• Musclé: Means "muscular," focusing on visible muscle definition rather than general strength.

Usage notes:

• "Costaud" is informal and often used in casual conversations.
• It is mainly used for physical attributes but can indirectly describe strong character.
• For example:
  • Il est très costaud, il peut soulever de lourdes charges. (He is very strong, he can lift heavy weights.)
  • Ce sac est costaud, il ne risque pas de se déchirer. (This bag is sturdy, it won’t tear easily.)

In short, "costaud" conveys a friendly, informal idea of robustness and physical strength, distinct from more neutral or formal terms like "solide" or "robuste."