耐性
Meanings
General term for physical or psychological resistance/tolerance to external factors such as heat, corrosion, drugs, or pain. Often used in compound nouns like 耐性菌 (resistant bacteria).
This material has high resistance to heat.
Long-term use has built up a tolerance to the drug.
resistance (biological/medical)
Specifically in medicine and biology: resistance of organisms (bacteria, insects, weeds) to drugs, pesticides, or antibiotics. Often used in technical contexts.
Overuse of antibiotics leads to the emergence of resistant bacteria.
Usage patterns
- 〈物〉に耐性があるto have resistance/tolerance to something
This plant has resistance to drought.
- 〈物〉に対する耐性をつけるto build up tolerance to something
I built up a tolerance by taking the medicine little by little.
- 〈物〉が耐性を持つfor something (e.g. bacteria) to have/develop resistance
This bacterium has developed resistance to antibiotics.
- 耐性ができるfor resistance/tolerance to develop
Continued use of the same drug can lead to tolerance developing.