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.
'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' and 'rüsten' can both express that someone or something is being made ready for an upcoming task. 'vorbereiten' is the normal, general word for everyday life, school, work, and planning. 'rüsten' sounds more specific and often stronger. It fits especially with fighting, competition, or a major task. In technical contexts, it also means setting up a machine; in southern Germany and Switzerland, it can also be used with food. Learners may confuse the words because 'rüsten' sometimes works like 'vorbereiten'. In normal everyday language, however, 'vorbereiten' is usually more natural; 'rüsten' needs a special context.
Die Mannschaft rüstet sich für das schwere Spiel am Samstag.
The team is preparing itself for the difficult game on Saturday.
Ich bereite die Präsentation für morgen im Büro vor.
I am preparing the presentation for tomorrow at the office.