stevig

Stevig is a Dutch adjective meaning sturdy, solid, robust, or substantial. It describes objects that are well built or durable, such as een stevig gebouw (a sturdy building) or een stevige tafel (a solid table), and it can also characterize a person’s character or a plan’s reliability.

Etymology: The word originates in Dutch and is generally traced to Germanic roots that express firmness or stiffness. It has cognates in related Germanic languages and reflects a long-standing emphasis on solidity in both material culture and personal traits.

Usage: In its literal sense, stevig highlights durability and structural integrity. In figurative use, it can convey reliability or forcefulness, as in een stevige prestatie (a solid performance) or een stevig plan (a robust plan). As an adverb, it can intensify verbs or adjectives, for example, Het heeft stevig geregend (it rained heavily) or Hij werkte stevig door (he kept at it with determination).

See also: robuust, massief, krachtig.