Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Ausrüstung | /ˈaʊ̯sˌʁʏstʊŋ/ | feminine |
| Equipment | /ɛˈkvɪpmɛnt/ | neuter |
| Ausstattung | /ˈaʊ̯sˌʃtatʊŋ/ | feminine |
| Zubehör | /ˈtsuːbəˌhøːr/ | neuter |
The term equipment in German can be translated in several ways depending on whether you are talking about gear for an activity, the features of a room, accessories for a device or industrial machinery.
Which one should you use?
Ausrüstung typically refers to gear or equipment used for a specific activity, such as sports, hiking or military operations. In contrast, Ausstattung is used when referring to the features, furnishings or amenities of a place, such as a hotel room or a car. If you are talking about supplementary equipment or accessories that complement a main device or product, use Zubehör. Finally, the loanword Equipment is used primarily in technical, industrial or professional contexts, often referring to large-scale machinery or specialized technical apparatus.
How does it change in a sentence?
Unlike the English word 'equipment', which is uncountable, Ausrüstung can be used in the plural form (Ausrüstungen) to refer to different sets of gear.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈaʊ̯sˌʁʏstʊŋ/
When do people say it?
In everyday tasks, if you are referring to equipment used for manual tasks or repairs, the word Werkzeug (tools) is often more appropriate.
Did you know?
- While Ausrüstung is used for gear, the German word for a government agency or authority is Behörde, which shares a linguistic root with Zubehör.
- In German, you can describe the 'equipment' of a person's character or mind using the root of Ausstattung, which implies providing something with necessary qualities.
Examples in context
- Dies ist meine Ausrüstung.This is my equipment.This sentence is useful for identifying your gear using Ausrüstung.Tatoeba #12511964 by Naina, translation #9345829 by CK
- Wir brauchen mehr Ausrüstung.We need more equipment.This sentence demonstrates a need for more Ausrüstung.Tatoeba #12995342 by Waldelfe, translation #12994457 by CK
- Unsere Ausrüstung ist sehr sperrig.Our equipment is very cumbersome.This sentence describes the physical nature of the Ausrüstung.Tatoeba #12309907 by Yorwba, translation #9956527 by ddnktr
- Wir benötigen die Ausrüstung für das MeetingWe need the equipment for the meeting
- Ich habe mein Zeug für den Campingtrip gepacktI packed my stuff for the camping trip
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hannah and Lukas are preparing for a camping trip.
- HannahHast du die ganze Ausrüstung gepackt, Lukas?Did you pack all the equipment, Lukas?
- LukasJa, aber die Ausrüstung wiegt sehr viel.Yes, but the equipment weighs a lot.
- HannahWir können eine Tasche zu Hause lassen.We can leave one bag at home.
- LukasDas ist eine gute Idee.That is a good idea.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “equipment” translations and entries Ausrüstung, Equipment, Ausstattung, Zubehör, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Ausrüstung, Ausstattung, Equipment, Zubehör, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
