to arm / prepare
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to arm / prepare
To prepare oneself or others for something, especially for a fight, a competition, or a major task. Often used in a military sense when weapons and equipment are acquired.
Das Land rüstete seine Armee für einen möglichen Konflikt.
The country armed its army for a possible conflict.
to prepare
(Swiss, southern German) To prepare food, especially vegetables, for cooking, for example by peeling, washing, and cutting.
Kannst du bitte die Karotten für die Suppe rüsten?
Can you please prepare the carrots for the soup?
to set up
(Technical) To set up and prepare a machine, system, or construction site for a specific work process.
Der Techniker rüstet die Maschine für die neue Produktionsserie.
The technician is setting up the machine for the new production series.
'Rüsten' (to arm/prepare) is the base verb for many important verbs with prefixes, all of which have to do with preparation. Examples are 'ausrüsten' (to equip), 'aufrüsten' (to arm/upgrade), and 'nachrüsten' (to retrofit).
Die Wanderer waren für das schlechte Wetter gut ausgerüstet.
The hikers were well equipped for the bad weather.
You can recognize the meaning of 'rüsten' (to arm/prepare) from the context. If it is about the military or competition, it means preparing for a fight. In the context of the kitchen and cooking, it means preparing vegetables. In technology, it is about setting up machines.
Die Ritter rüsteten sich für die Schlacht.
The knights prepared themselves for the battle.
In the meaning 'sich vorbereiten' (to prepare oneself), 'rüsten' is often used reflexively with 'sich' and the preposition 'für' (for) or 'gegen' (against). You prepare yourself for a task or against an enemy.
Die Stadt rüstet sich für den erwarteten Schneesturm.
The city is preparing for the expected snowstorm.
The meaning 'Lebensmittel vorbereiten' (to prepare food) is mainly common in Switzerland and southern Germany. In other parts of Germany, people would more likely say 'vorbereiten' (to prepare), 'putzen' (to clean/trim), or 'schneiden' (to cut).
Für das Fondue müssen wir noch das Brot und das Gemüse rüsten.
For the fondue, we still have to prepare the bread and the vegetables.
When it is about preparing a machine or system, 'rüsten' (to set up) is typical technical language from industry and the trades. It describes the process of setting up a machine for a new production run.
Das Rüsten der Druckmaschine dauert etwa eine Stunde.
Setting up the printing press takes about an hour.
to prepare
Vorbereiten is neutral and suits any deliberate preparation for an event. Rüsten can be used in the same context, but when it involves combat, competition, or a major task, it often carries a combative or military connotation. Without this connotation, vorbereiten is usually the more suitable choice.
Die Mannschaft rüstet sich für das entscheidende Spiel um den Titel.
The team is gearing up for the decisive game for the title.
Die Mannschaft bereitet sich auf das entscheidende Spiel um den Titel vor.
The team is preparing for the decisive game for the title.
