bewaffnen
to arm
To equip someone with weapons.
EXAMPLE
Die Wachen des Palastes waren schwer bewaffnet.
The palace guards were heavily armed.
bewaffnen
to arm
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Meanings
sich bewaffnen
to arm oneself
To equip oneself with one or more weapons in order to defend oneself or attack.
EXAMPLE
Die Rebellen begannen, sich heimlich zu bewaffnen.
The rebels began to arm themselves secretly.
sich bewaffnen mit
to arm oneself with
Figuratively: to equip oneself with something needed to handle a task, such as patience, knowledge, or arguments.
EXAMPLE
Für die bevorstehende Verhandlung bewaffnete er sich mit allen relevanten Fakten.
For the upcoming negotiation, he armed himself with all the relevant facts.
Usage tips
Word structure
The verb 'bewaffnen' (to arm) is formed from the noun 'die Waffe' (weapon) with the prefix 'be-'. This prefix is often used to turn a noun into a verb meaning 'to provide with something'.
EXAMPLE
Die Polizei bewaffnete sich für den Einsatz mit Schutzausrüstung.
The police armed themselves with protective equipment for the operation.
Use as an adjective
The past participle 'bewaffnet' (armed) is very often used like an adjective to describe a person or group carrying weapons. It can also be intensified, e.g. 'schwer bewaffnet' (heavily armed).
EXAMPLE
Ein bewaffneter Räuber überfiel die Bank.
An armed robber held up the bank.
Reflexive use
The verb is often used reflexively: 'sich bewaffnen' means that a person or group equips themselves with weapons. The reflexive pronoun is in the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Aus Angst vor Einbrechern hat er sich mit einem Baseballschläger bewaffnet.
Out of fear of burglars, he armed himself with a baseball bat.
Figurative meaning
In the figurative meaning, the verb always takes the preposition 'mit' (with) and a dative object. This object is usually something abstract like 'Geduld' (patience), 'Wissen' (knowledge), or 'Argumente' (arguments).
EXAMPLE
Für die Prüfung bewaffnete sie sich mit einer großen Kanne Kaffee und viel Geduld.
For the exam, she armed herself with a large pot of coffee and a lot of patience.
Compare with
bewaffnen vs ausrüsten
to equip
Ausrüsten is a general word for providing someone or something with the items they need, so it can also involve weapons. Bewaffnen directly means equipping someone with weapons. With ausrüsten, you need to add “mit Waffen” when that is specifically what you mean.
bewaffnen
Die Armee bewaffnet die Soldaten mit neuen Gewehren.
The army is arming the soldiers with new rifles.
ausrüsten
Die Armee rüstet die Soldaten mit neuen Waffen aus.
The army is equipping the soldiers with new weapons.
In real life
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