adjective

robust

robust · sturdy

Definition & meaning

The adjective "robust" is used in German to describe something that is strong, sturdy, and resistant to external influences. It has several nuances depending on the context:

Physical Health: When referring to people or animals, it describes a constitution that is healthy, vigorous, and not easily affected by illness, cold weather, or physical exertion.
Objects and Materials: It describes things that are solid, well-constructed, and durable. Such items are capable of withstanding rough handling or harsh environments without breaking or wearing down quickly.
Systems and Processes: In a technical or abstract sense, it refers to methods, theories, or software systems that remain functional and reliable even when conditions change or unexpected errors occur.

Grammar & Word origin

The word "robust" is an adjective. It is inflected based on the noun it describes. Its comparative form is robuster and its superlative form is am robustesten.

The word was adopted into German in the 17th century from the Latin "robustus", which means "oaken" or "hard and strong like oak". This is derived from the Latin noun "robur", which refers to a specific type of hard oak tree and is also a metaphorical term for strength and firmness.