抵抗力（ていこうりょく、teikouryoku）
- resistance (immunity)

The Japanese word 抵抗力 (抵抗力 - *teikōryoku*) primarily refers to the *resistance* or *ability to withstand* something. It describes the power to fight against or endure external forces, diseases, or challenges. This can apply to various contexts, including physical, mental, and even social situations. The word implies a strength or resilience against adverse conditions. Think of it as the ability to "resist" or "fight back" against something negative.

⚫︎病気に対する抵抗力を高める。 Translation: To improve one's resistance to illness. ⚫︎彼の抵抗力は非常に強い。 Translation: His resistance is very strong. ⚫︎ストレスに対する抵抗力をつけたい。 Translation: I want to build up my resistance to stress.

You can use 抵抗力 in various situations to describe an individual's or a system's capacity to withstand something. You would use it to talk about: ⚫︎ Physical strength related to fighting off illnesses (e.g., in medical contexts). ⚫︎ Mental fortitude and resilience (e.g., in discussions about coping with stress). ⚫︎ The ability to withstand external pressures or influences. When discussing health, it is very common.

抵抗力 is written as: ⚫︎ Kanji: 抵抗力 ⚫︎ Hiragana (reading): ていこうりょく ⚫︎ There are no common variations in the okurigana (the suffix hiragana). The word is consistently written as ていこうりょく.

Some synonyms for 抵抗力 include: ⚫︎ 免疫力 (*men'ekiryoku*) - immunity, specifically in the context of the immune system. ⚫︎ 耐性 (*taisei*) - resistance (similar, but often used in more technical or specific contexts). ⚫︎ 耐久力 (*taikyūryoku*) - endurance, or lasting strength. ⚫︎ レジリエンス (*rejiriensu*) - resilience (borrowed word, often used in mental health and societal contexts).

Some antonyms or opposite words of 抵抗力 include: ⚫︎ 脆弱性 (*zeijakusei*) - vulnerability, fragility. ⚫︎ 弱さ (*yowasa*) - weakness. ⚫︎ 無力さ (*muryokusa*) - powerlessness.

風邪をひかないように、普段から抵抗力をつけましょう。 ・Translation: Let's build up our resistance from the start, so we don't catch a cold. ・Explanation: This sentence emphasizes the importance of building up one's physical strength to avoid getting a cold.

この薬は、病気に対する抵抗力を上げる効果がある。 ・Translation: This medicine has the effect of increasing resistance to illness. ・Explanation: This example explains how medicine can have the effect of increasing the body's resistance.

The word 抵抗力 is composed of the following: ⚫︎ 抵抗 (*teikō*) - resistance, opposition. ⚫︎ 力 (*chikara* or *ryoku*) - power, force, ability. Therefore, 抵抗力 literally means "resistance power" or "power of resistance". The etymology directly reflects the meaning of the word.