武装

• Pinyin: wǔ zhuāng
• Hanzi breakdown: 武 = 止 + 戈 (stop weapons = martial); 装 = 衣 + 壮 (outfit)

Meaning

Arms; military equipment; armed forces. As a verb, to arm or equip militarily.

Refers to military equipment, the state of being armed, or the act of arming. Also used metaphorically for equipping oneself with knowledge or skills.

Examples

1. 部队完成了武装集结。 The troops completed an armed assembly.
2. 我们要用知识武装自己的头脑。 We should arm our minds with knowledge.
3. 武装冲突导致大量平民伤亡。 Armed conflict has led to large numbers of civilian casualties.

Usage Guide

Context: military, politics, metaphorical

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 警方出动武装力量维护秩序。(The police deployed armed forces to maintain order.)
• 学生应该用科学知识武装自己。(Students should equip themselves with scientific knowledge.)

Don't Say

• 我武装了新衣服 — use 穿上 for wearing clothes; 武装 is for military/metaphorical equipping

Origin & History

武 (military/martial) + 装 (equipment/dress)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal