härdig

Härdig is a Swedish adjective describing someone or something that can endure hardship, is robust, and withstands demanding conditions. It is used of people, animals, plants, and objects or processes that show physical or mental resilience. In everyday language it often appears in discussions about outdoor life, sports, work under tough conditions, or any situation where endurance and toughness are valued. A härdig climate or härdiga förhållanden implies challenging, persistent adversity.

Etymology and related forms: härdig derives from the Old Norse harðr meaning hard or tough and is related to the Danish hård and the English hard. In modern Swedish it functions as a standard adjective, with the plural form härdiga and phrases like en härdig person or härdiga förhållanden.

Usage and nuance: the term emphasizes robustness and the ability to withstand physical strain or persistent effort. It can describe people who push through difficulties, equipment and infrastructure built to survive harsh environments, or strategies and routines designed to endure wear and stress. It is generally neutral, though it can carry a positive or admiring tone depending on context.

Related terms: hållbar and tålig describe durability and endurance with slightly different nuances; uthållig emphasizes long-term persistence, while robust is a closer loanword. Härdig is most common in contexts involving resilience in the face of challenging conditions.

See also: durability, resilience, endurance, ruggedness.