Translation and Meaning of: 武装 - busou

The Japanese word 「武装」 (busou) mainly refers to the concept of "armament" or "being armed." The composition of this word is made up of two kanji: 「武」 (bu), which means "war" or "military," and 「装」 (sou), which means "equipment" or "to dress." Thus, the combination of the two kanji suggests the idea of being equipped for war or prepared for combat. This expression is often used in military and security contexts, describing both the act of arming oneself and the state of being armed.

Etymologically, the origin of the kanji 「武」 dates back to images that denote weapons or combat, evoking strength and fighting ability. On the other hand, the kanji 「装」 is derived from representations of clothing or equipment, associating with preparation and readiness. Over the centuries, these conceptions have integrated into the Japanese language to create complex terms that describe various aspects of militarism and self-defense.

In addition to military use, the word 「武装」 finds application in broader contexts, such as strategy games and works of fiction, where characters or factions may be described in terms of their combat abilities and equipment. Variations of the term are also present in the form of verbs and adjectives, enriching the Japanese language with nuances of readiness and strategy.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 武装 (Busou) - Armament, especially in a military context.
• 兵装 (Heisou) - Military equipment or specific weaponry of the troops.
• 装備 (Soubi) - Equipment or armament in general; may include supplies and accessories.
• 軍装 (Gunsou) - Military uniform, clothing worn by the armed forces.
• 兵器 (Heiki) - Weapons, referring to instruments of combat.

武装

Romaji: busou
Kana: ぶそう
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: arms; armament; armed

Meaning in English: arms;armament;armed

Definition: To use force using a weapon or equipment.

Example Sentences - (武装) busou

See below some example sentences:

武装した警察官が街をパトロールしている。

Busou shita keisatsukan ga machi wo patorooru shite iru

Armed police officers patrol the streets.

Armed police officers are patrolling the city.

• 武装した - armored
• 警察官 - police officer
• が - subject particle
• 街 - city
• を - direct object particle
• パトロール - patrol
• している - Is doing