verb
bewaffnen
arm oneself
Definition & meaning
Bewaffnen means to arm or to equip someone with weapons.
It is usually used transitively:
- jemanden bewaffnen — to arm someone
- eine Gruppe bewaffnen — to arm a group
It can also be used reflexively:
- sich bewaffnen — to arm oneself, to take up weapons
In a broader or figurative sense, bewaffnen can mean equipping someone with the means or resources needed for a task, though this use is less common than the literal meaning.
Grammar & Word origin
- Part of speech: verb
- Infinitive: bewaffnen
- Present tense: ich bewaffne, du bewaffnest, er/sie bewaffnet
- Past participle: bewaffnet
- Auxiliary verb: haben
The word consists of:
- be- — a prefix that often makes a verb transitive, indicating that something or someone is provided with or affected by an object
- Waffe — weapon
- -n — part of the verb ending
Thus, bewaffnen literally means “to provide with weapons.”
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms
- ausrüsten — to equip; broader than bewaffnen, as it can refer to equipment of any kind, not only weapons
- wappnen — to arm or prepare; often used figuratively, as in preparing someone mentally or strategically
- bestücken — to equip or furnish with particular items; more neutral and technical
Antonyms
- entwaffnen — to disarm someone or remove their weapons
- abrüsten — to reduce or give up weapons, especially in a military or political context
Common phrases & collocations
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Examples
Wir bewaffnen uns nicht.verb
We do not arm ourselves.
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