toughness
/ˈtʌfnəs/ (bre, ipa) · [tˈʌfnəs] /ˈtʌfnəs/ (ame, ipa) · [tˈʌfnəs] /ˈtəf-nəs How to pronounce toughness (audio)/ (ame, mw)
toughness — 名詞
1. The property of a material or object that allows it to resist breaking, tearing,
堅固；堅韌
材料不易破裂的性質
The property of a material or object that allows it to resist breaking, tearing, or being damaged under physical force or pressure.
The toughness of the steel beams made them ideal for the earthquake-resistant bridge.
鋼樑的堅固特性使其非常適合建造這座抗震橋樑。
collocation: toughness of [material]
Karim tested the leather for toughness before choosing it for the motorcycle jacket.
Karim 在挑選機車夾克的皮革之前，先測試了它的堅韌度。
noun + toughness: test for toughness
The new tyre compound gives the racing cars greater toughness against punctures.
新的輪胎配方讓賽車擁有更強的抗穿刺堅韌度。
Scientists measure the toughness of ceramics by applying controlled pressure until they crack.
科學家透過施加控制壓力直到陶瓷破裂，來測量其堅韌度。
- strength
broader term; toughness specifically implies ability to absorb impact without breaking
- durability
focuses on long-lasting wear rather than impact resistance
- hardness
refers to surface resistance to scratching; toughness is about energy absorption
- fragility
the quality of breaking easily under stress
用法筆記
Often used in materials science and engineering contexts. The object is typically a manufactured or natural material such as steel, leather, fabric, or ceramic.
2. The personal quality of being able to cope with hardship, failure, or emotional
韌性；堅毅
面對逆境仍保持堅強的能力
The personal quality of being able to cope with hardship, failure, or emotional pain without giving up or losing hope.
Maja showed remarkable toughness by finishing the marathon despite a painful knee injury.
Maja 展現出驚人的韌性，忍著膝蓋疼痛跑完了全程馬拉松。
show + toughness + by + verb-ing
The coach praised the team's mental toughness after they came back from three goals down.
教練稱讚了球隊的心理韌性，因為他們在落後三球的情況下逆轉獲勝。
collocation: mental toughness
Growing up in difficult circumstances built a deep sense of toughness in the children.
在艱困環境中長大，讓這些孩子培養出深厚的韌性。
Reema's toughness was tested when her small business nearly went bankrupt during the recession.
Reema 的小公司在經濟衰退期間瀕臨破產，考驗了她的韌性。
- resilience
emphasises the ability to recover quickly; toughness is more about sustained endurance
- determination
focuses on firmness of purpose rather than emotional endurance
- fortitude
more formal; courage in facing pain or adversity
- fragility
emotional vulnerability; easily broken by hardship
用法筆記
Commonly paired with the adjective 'mental'. This sense overlaps with 'resilience' but toughness implies a more active, determined endurance rather than the ability to simply bounce back.
3. A firm attitude in which rules are strictly enforced and little sympathy is show
嚴厲；嚴格
嚴格執行規則不妥協的態度
A firm attitude in which rules are strictly enforced and little sympathy is shown for those who break them.
The school's toughness on uniform rules surprised the new students and their parents.
學校對服儀規定的嚴格程度讓新來學生和家長都大吃一驚。
toughness on [issue]
Charlotte respected her piano teacher's toughness because it pushed her to improve quickly.
Charlotte 尊敬鋼琴老師的嚴格，因為這促使她快速進步。
The judge was known for her toughness in sentencing repeat offenders to maximum terms.
那位法官以對累犯從重量刑的嚴厲作風而聞名。
Some parents complained about the toughness of the new homework policy at the middle school.
一些家長對國中新家庭作業規定的嚴格程度提出了投訴。
- strictness
more neutral; toughness implies an edge of severity
- severity
stronger; suggests harshness
- firmness
gentler implication; steady rather than harsh
- leniency
willingness to make exceptions or be forgiving
用法筆記
Often followed by 'on' (toughness on something) or 'in' (toughness in doing something). Commonly describes authority figures such as teachers, judges, parents, and managers.
4. A tendency or reputation for being physically aggressive, rough, and threatening
粗暴；兇悍
暴力粗魯不受歡迎的作風
A tendency or reputation for being physically aggressive, rough, and threatening in behaviour, often in a way that makes others feel unsafe.
The film was criticised for its toughness — viewers found the constant street fights disturbing.
這部電影因過於粗暴而受到批評——觀眾覺得不斷出現的街頭鬥毆令人不安。
Hao could not handle the toughness of the streets, so he moved away.
Hao 無法忍受街頭的兇悍風氣，於是搬走了。
collocation: toughness of the streets
The gang's reputation for toughness kept other groups away from their territory.
該幫派以其兇悍的名聲讓其他團體不敢靠近他們的地盤。
Lara told her brother the toughness of the prison population would shock him.
Lara 告訴她哥哥，監獄人口的粗暴程度會讓他大吃一驚。
- gentleness
a kind, soft, or peaceful manner
用法筆記
This sense carries a negative, informal tone. It typically describes rough environments, dangerous groups, or aggressive individuals. Rarely found in formal or academic writing.
5. The quality of a problem, task, or situation that makes it extremely difficult t
困難；艱難
問題或任務難以處理的性質
The quality of a problem, task, or situation that makes it extremely difficult to manage, solve, or get through.
The toughness of the exam surprised even the top students in the class.
考試的困難程度甚至讓班上的頂尖學生都大吃一驚。
the toughness of [challenge]
Eitan underestimated the toughness of the hiking trail and ran out of water halfway up.
Eitan 低估了這條登山步道的難度，爬到一半水就喝完了。
The negotiation's toughness came from both sides refusing to compromise on their main demands.
談判之所以艱難，是因為雙方都拒絕在主要訴求上讓步。
Ada warned the new manager about the toughness of dealing with the factory's union representatives.
Ada 提醒新主管處理工廠工會代表的棘手程度。
- difficulty
the standard neutral term; toughness implies an extra layer of demand
- challenge
more positive framing; toughness focuses on the strain
- ease
the quality of being simple or straightforward
用法筆記
Typically used with 'of' followed by the challenging thing. The toughness can refer to exams, jobs, negotiations, sports matches, or any demanding undertaking.
6. The quality of meat or other food that is firm and requires a lot of chewing, ma
老韌；硬韌
食物難以切開或咀嚼的質地
The quality of meat or other food that is firm and requires a lot of chewing, making it unpleasant or difficult to eat.
The toughness of the steak ruined the meal — Tariro could barely cut it.
那塊牛排又老又韌，毀了這頓飯——Tariro 幾乎切不動它。
toughness of [food item]
Dario marinated the beef overnight to reduce its toughness before grilling it.
Dario 把牛肉醃了一整夜，以降低肉質的硬度再拿去烤。
reduce toughness
The chicken breast's toughness showed the chef had cooked it too long.
雞胸肉又老又韌，表示廚師煮了太久。
Heloísa complained about the toughness of the bread, which was already several days old.
Heloísa 抱怨那塊麵包又老又韌，因為已經放了好幾天。
- tenderness
the desirable quality of meat that is easy to cut and chew
用法筆記
Almost exclusively used for meat that has been overcooked or is from an older animal. Can also describe stale bread, old vegetables, or hard fruit.