Resistencia vs. aguante vs. estamina
In the Spanish language, the concepts of 'stamina', 'endurance' or 'resilience' are depicted by the words resistencia, aguante, and estamina. Each one carries its own nuances, uses and connotations.
Resistencia
Generally, 'resistencia' refers to either material's capacity to withstand certain conditions or a person's capacity to endure effort or adversity.
Los atletas de alto rendimiento necesitan tener una buena resistencia.
(High performance athletes need to have good endurance.)
Este material tiene una alta resistencia al calor.
(This material has high heat resistance.)
Aguante
'Aguante' is often used more colloquially. It can refer to a person's capacity to endure discomfort, pain, or hardship without giving up. Sometimes also used to depict patience and tolerance.
Ella tiene un gran aguante para el dolor.
(She has a great tolerance for pain.)
Estamina
Although not as commonly used as the other terms, 'estamina' often refers to someone's physical or mental energy that allows them to do something for a long time without getting tired. It's a direct equivalent of 'stamina'.
Para correr un maratón, es necesario tener un buen nivel de estamina.
(To run a marathon, it's necessary to have a good level of stamina.)
Gracias a su estamina mental, pudo estudiar durante horas sin cansarse.
(Thanks to her mental stamina, she could study for hours without getting tired.)
Summary
'Resistencia', 'aguante', and 'estamina' are three Spanish words that convey notions of endurance, resilience or steadfastness. While they all relate to the ability to endure or persist through challenging situations, 'resistencia' is generally used in both physical and abstract contexts and can apply to objects too. 'Aguante', is more about demonstrating emotional or physical endurance in adversity and patience or tolerance in uncomfortable situations. Finally, 'estamina' usually refers specifically to physical or mental energy that allows long-term efforts and is directly equivalent of English word 'stamina'.