hefty

Compared meaning: weighing a lot (adjective).

比较义项：重的（形容词）。

• heavy

  The neutral, all-purpose word for weighing a lot; works for almost any heavy object or person, in any register, formal or casual.

  中性、最通用的词，表示“重的”，几乎可以用来形容任何重物或人，正式、非正式场合都适用。

  Please be careful — that heavy suitcase could hurt your back.

  小心点——那个重的行李箱可能会伤到你的背。

• hefty 本词

  An informal word stressing that something is noticeably large and heavy; often used with a hint of admiration for objects or sturdy people, not for liquids or abstract things.

  非正式用语，强调东西明显又大又重；常用于形容物品或体格健壮的人，带一点赞叹的语气，不用于液体或抽象事物。

  He tossed the hefty sack of potatoes onto the truck like it was nothing.

  他把那袋又大又重的土豆轻松地扔上了卡车，好像毫不费力。

Heavy and hefty both describe something that weighs a lot. Heavy is the neutral, all-purpose word for almost anything heavy. Hefty is informal, meaning noticeably big and heavy, often said with admiration. Heavy's other meanings, such as heavy rain, are not compared here.

这两个词在“重的”这一义项上意思相近，都可以修饰重物，但语气和搭配不同：heavy 是中性、最常用的词，几乎可以形容任何重的东西；hefty 是非正式用语，强调东西又大又重，常带一点赞叹或随意的语气，多用于形容物品或体格健壮的人。heavy 还有很多其他义项（如“heavy rain”表示“大雨”、“heavy traffic”表示“拥堵的交通”），这里不作比较。

Compared meaning: physically strong or muscular (adjective).

比较义项：强壮、肌肉发达（adj.）。

• strong

  The general, neutral word for physical power; can describe any body part or the whole body without implying a bulky build or defined muscles.

  表示“强壮”的通用中性词，可形容身体的任何部位或整个身体，不一定意味着体型健硕或肌肉发达。

  A strong farmer easily lifted the heavy sacks of grain onto the truck.

  一位强壮的农民轻松地把沉重的粮食袋抬上了卡车。

• hefty 本词

  Informal; describes a person as big, heavy-set and strong, emphasizing bulk and weight rather than muscle definition.

  非正式用语，形容人体型高大、健壮有力，强调体重和体格的“分量感”，而非肌肉线条。

  The hefty bouncer could lift heavy barrels without much effort.

  那个身材魁梧的保镖不费什么力气就能扛起沉重的木桶。

• muscular

  Highlights visible, well-developed muscles built through exercise; focuses on physique appearance rather than raw strength or size.

  特指经过锻炼而形成的、清晰可见的发达肌肉，强调体格外观上的肌肉线条，而非笼统的力气大小。

  Every day after training, the muscular gymnast showed off his toned arms.

  每天训练后，这位肌肉发达的体操运动员都会展示他结实的手臂。

All three describe physical strength. Strong is the general word for physical power, in any body part. Hefty is informal, describing someone big and strong. Muscular highlights visible muscles built by exercise. Not compared: strong meaning firm belief, and hefty meaning a huge fee.

这三个词都可形容身体强壮，但侧重不同：strong泛指力气大，可用于任何身体部位或物体；hefty强调体型高大、有分量的健壮感，语气偏口语化；muscular强调经锻炼而来的、线条分明的肌肉。这里不比较strong表示“信念坚定的”或“味道浓烈的”等义项，也不比较hefty表示“数额巨大的（如费用、罚款）”的义项。