Meaning and Usage
"装備" (そうび) primarily means "equipment" or "gear." It refers to the tools, devices, or apparatus necessary for a particular activity or purpose. This word is often used in contexts like sports, military, technology, and outdoor activities.
Common Contexts
You will frequently see "装備" used when talking about preparing for an activity, such as hiking or sports, or describing the features of machines and technology. For example, "登山の装備" means "mountaineering equipment," and "セキュリティ装備" refers to security equipment or features.
Collocations and Patterns
- 装備を揃える: to gather or prepare equipment
- 装備が整う: equipment is complete or ready
- 最新の装備: the latest equipment
- 軍事装備: military equipment
These collocations help express readiness, completeness, or the type of equipment.
Register and Nuance
"装備" is a formal and neutral term, suitable for both written and spoken Japanese. It is not casual and is often used in technical, professional, or official contexts.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "装備" with "設備" (せつび), which means "facilities" or "installation." Remember, "装備" focuses on portable or functional gear, while "設備" refers to fixed infrastructure or facilities.