die  Ausrüstung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaʊsˌʁʏstʊŋ/

💡 What does "die Ausrüstung" mean?

Die Ausrüstung (feminine noun) refers to the collection of items, devices, or tools necessary for a specific purpose, activity, or person. It's often used as a collective noun.

• Meaning 1: The sum of necessary items for an activity (e.g., sports, work, expedition). Example: Die Kletterer überprüften ihre Ausrüstung. (The climbers checked their equipment.)
• Meaning 2: Technical equipment of facilities, vehicles, or buildings. Example: Die technische Ausrüstung des Labors ist veraltet. (The technical equipment of the lab is outdated.)

🚨 Important: "Ausrüstung" is mostly used in the singular, even when referring to many individual items. The plural "Ausrüstungen" is rare and typically refers to different types or sets of equipment (e.g., for various sports).

Article rules for der, die, and das

📚 Grammar in Detail: Die Ausrüstung

The word "Ausrüstung" is a feminine noun. Therefore, the article is "die". It's usually treated as an uncountable noun used in the singular.

Declension Singular

Plural

The plural "die Ausrüstungen" is uncommon and is only used when referring to different, clearly distinct sets or types of equipment. Generally, you speak of "Ausrüstung" in the singular.

Example Sentences

• Die Ausrüstung für die Wanderung liegt bereit. (The equipment for the hike is ready.)
• Der Zustand der Ausrüstung ist einwandfrei. (The condition of the equipment is flawless.)
• Mit dieser Ausrüstung können wir starten. (With this equipment, we can start.)
• Er packt die Ausrüstung in den Rucksack. (He packs the equipment into the backpack.)

🛠️ How to use "Ausrüstung"?

"Ausrüstung" is a very common word used in many contexts:

• Sports & Leisure: Ski-Ausrüstung (ski gear), Camping-Ausrüstung (camping equipment), Tauch-Ausrüstung (diving gear), Kletter-Ausrüstung (climbing gear).
• Work & Profession: Büro-Ausrüstung (office equipment), Labor-Ausrüstung (lab equipment), Werkstatt-Ausrüstung (workshop equipment), Sicherheits-Ausrüstung (safety equipment).
• Military & Security: militärische Ausrüstung (military equipment), Polizei-Ausrüstung (police gear).
• Technology: technische Ausrüstung (technical equipment), Computer-Ausrüstung (computer hardware/equipment).
• Expeditions & Adventure: Expeditions-Ausrüstung (expedition gear).

It serves as a collective term. Instead of listing "Helm, Seil, Karabiner und Schuhe" (helmet, rope, carabiners, and shoes), one often just says "die Kletter-Ausrüstung".

Comparison:

• Das Gerät: Often refers to a single technical object (e.g., ein Messgerät - a measuring device).
• Das Zubehör: Refers to accessories, additional parts that aren't strictly necessary but enhance functionality.
• Die Ausstattung: Similar to Ausrüstung, but often relates to fixed installations (e.g., die Ausstattung einer Wohnung - the furnishings/equipment of an apartment).

🧠 Mnemonics for "Ausrüstung"

For the article (die): Many German nouns ending in "-ung" are feminine (die), like die Rechnung (the bill), die Wohnung (the apartment). Think of packing your equipment into *die* Tasche (the bag, also feminine).

For the meaning (Equipment): Imagine going *OUT* (AUS-) and needing to *ARMOUR* yourself (-RÜSTUNG sounds like armour/arming) for a task. You need the right *equipment* - *die Ausrüstung*.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but different words:

• Die Rüstung: Specifically refers to *armour*, usually historical (knight's armour) or military (plating). Ausrüstung is the more general term for *equipment*.

😄 A Little Joke

German: Warum hat der Computer nie gefroren, als er draußen im Schnee stand? – Er hatte die richtige Windows-Ausrüstung!

English: Why did the computer never freeze when it was outside in the snow? – It had the right Windows equipment! (Pun on Windows OS and window panes/gear) 😉

📜 Poem about Equipment

German:

Für Berg und Tal, für Schnee und Eis,
braucht mancher Held den rechten Preis:
Die Ausrüstung, gut und stark,
vom Helm bis hin zum Wanderpark'.

Ob Seil, ob Pickel, Zelt so fein,
ohne sie bist du allein.
Drum prüfe gut, was du da hast,
damit die Tour dir nicht zur Last.

English Translation:

For mountain high and valley low,
For ice and also driving snow,
A hero needs, it's understood,
The equipment, strong and good.

From helmet down to sturdy shoe,
A rope, an axe, a tent for two,
Without it, you are left alone,
So check it well before you roam.

🧩 Little Riddle

German:

Ich bin kein einzelnes Ding, doch eine Einheit.
Ich helfe dir bei Sport, Arbeit oder auf Reisen weit.
Vom Taucher bis zum Astronaut,
jeder hat mich schon verbaut (oder genutzt).

Was bin ich?

English:

I'm not a single thing, but still a unit whole.
I help with sports, or work, or reaching distant goal.
From diver deep to astronaut so high,
Everyone relies on me, way up in the sky (or anywhere).

What am I?

(Solution: die Ausrüstung / equipment)

✨ Further Information

Word Composition:

The word "Ausrüstung" derives from the verb "ausrüsten" (to equip, to fit out). It consists of:

• Prefix "aus-": Indicates completion or an outward direction.
• Stem "rüst": Comes from "rüsten" (to prepare, make ready).
• Suffix "-ung": Forms a noun from the verb and is typically feminine.

So, "Ausrüstung" literally means the result of equipping oneself, the entirety of what one has prepared oneself with.