Difference in nuance between 元気 and 丈夫?


As I understand it, both of these approximately mean healthy or robust. I
originally thought that 丈夫 was more appropriate for inanimate objects and 元気
for living things, but now I get the impression it's not so clear cut.

I'd like to know if there's a rule of thumb for when one or the other should
be used?

I'm quite a new Japanese learner (as may be obvious) so please bear with me if
the answer should be evident.




I really like example sentences for sussing out differences like this. A lot
of things become clearer with context - for example:

  * [元気](https://eow.alc.co.jp/search?q=%E5%85%83%E6%B0%97%E3%81%AA&ref=sa)
  * [丈夫](https://eow.alc.co.jp/search?q=%E4%B8%88%E5%A4%AB%E3%81%AA&ref=sa)

As you can see, `丈夫` is indeed used more for inanimate objects, but it's not
because there is a hard and fast rule about what each adjective can be used to
describe, it's because the two words mean subtly different things.

`元気` can mean healthy, but it most often means things like `energetic`,
`cheerful`, `vigorous`, `lively`, etc. It primarily describes the way that
someone or something acts or presents, so it mostly gets used with living
things.

`丈夫` in general has more physical nuances - it tends to mean things like
`sturdy`, `durable` or `rugged`. Consequently, you see it mostly describing
things.

Both words _can_ be applied to people, and might both be translated as
`healthy` in some cases, but they mean different things. `元気` evokes images of
someone who is cheerful, where as `丈夫` evokes an image primarily of physical
health. You can be frequently hospitalized for a health condition and still
`元気` if your attitude is good, or depressed and still `丈夫` if you work out a
lot, but probably not vice versa.




I really like example sentences for sussing out differences like this. A lot
of things become clearer with context - for example:

  * [元気](https://eow.alc.co.jp/search?q=%E5%85%83%E6%B0%97%E3%81%AA&ref=sa)
  * [丈夫](https://eow.alc.co.jp/search?q=%E4%B8%88%E5%A4%AB%E3%81%AA&ref=sa)

As you can see, `丈夫` is indeed used more for inanimate objects, but it's not
because there is a hard and fast rule about what each adjective can be used to
describe, it's because the two words mean subtly different things.

`元気` can mean healthy, but it most often means things like `energetic`,
`cheerful`, `vigorous`, `lively`, etc. It primarily describes the way that
someone or something acts or presents, so it mostly gets used with living
things.

`丈夫` in general has more physical nuances - it tends to mean things like
`sturdy`, `durable` or `rugged`. Consequently, you see it mostly describing
things.

Both words _can_ be applied to people, and might both be translated as
`healthy` in some cases, but they mean different things. `元気` evokes images of
someone who is cheerful, where as `丈夫` evokes an image primarily of physical
health. You can be frequently hospitalized for a health condition and still
`元気` if your attitude is good, or depressed and still `丈夫` if you work out a
lot, but probably not vice versa.

