Word: hardy (adjective)

Associations

"Hardy" means strong and able to survive difficult conditions, especially in nature or health.

• Plants that can survive cold winters are called hardy plants. For example, "This rose is hardy and can grow even in snowy areas."
• People who are brave and can endure tough situations can be described as hardy. For example, "The hikers were hardy and walked through the storm."
• Animals that live in rough environments, like deserts or mountains, are hardy animals. For example, "Camels are hardy creatures that live in the desert."

A synonym is "tough," but "hardy" often relates more to survival and natural strength, while "tough" can mean strong in many situations, including mental or emotional strength.

Substitution

You can use words like:

• tough (strong, able to handle difficulty)
• resilient (able to recover quickly)
• robust (strong and healthy)

Using "resilient" focuses more on recovering after problems, while "hardy" emphasizes surviving difficult conditions.

Deconstruction

"Hardy" comes from Old English "heard" meaning "strong" or "brave." The suffix "-y" turns it into an adjective meaning "full of" or "characterized by" strength.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a plant or animal that is hardy in your country?
• Have you ever been in a situation where you had to be hardy and strong?
• How is being hardy different from just being strong or tough?