How to Say "to equip" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to equip” is “equipar” — use 'equipar' when you are providing a place, like a room or a vehicle, with necessary items or tools to make it functional or ready for a purpose..
equipar
/eh-kee-par//ekiˈpaɾ/
Examples
Necesitamos equipar la cocina con electrodomésticos modernos.
We need to equip the kitchen with modern appliances.
El gimnasio está muy bien equipado para los atletas.
The gym is very well equipped for the athletes.
Equiparon al ejército con nueva tecnología de comunicación.
They equipped the army with new communication technology.
Using 'con'
When you want to say what you are equipping something with, always use the word 'con' (with). Example: 'Equipar con herramientas' (To equip with tools).
The Passive Use
You will often see this word as 'estar equipado' (to be equipped). In this case, the ending changes to match the gender and number of what you are describing (equipado/equipada/equipados/equipadas).
Missing 'con'
Mistake: “Equipar la oficina herramientas.”
Correction: Equipar la oficina con herramientas. In Spanish, you must include 'con' to show what is being added.
dotar
/doh-TAR//doˈtaɾ/
Examples
El gobierno decidió dotar al hospital de nuevos equipos de rayos X.
The government decided to equip the hospital with new X-ray machines.
Es fundamental dotar a las escuelas con acceso a internet de alta velocidad.
It is fundamental to provide schools with high-speed internet access.
Han dotado al parque de una zona de juegos para niños.
They have provided the park with a play area for children.
Using 'de' after dotar
In Spanish, when you want to say you are equipping something 'with' a resource, you almost always use the word 'de' (of) instead of 'con' (with). For example: 'dotar de agua' (to provide with water).
A Regular Verb
Dotar is a perfectly regular -ar verb, meaning it follows the standard pattern for verbs like 'hablar' in every tense.
Forgetting the 'de'
Mistake: “Dotaron el centro herramientas.”
Correction: Dotaron el centro DE herramientas. (You need the word 'de' to connect the place being equipped to the items being provided.)
proveer
/pro-beh-EHR//pɾoβeˈeɾ/
Examples
El hotel provee toallas y jabón a todos sus huéspedes.
The hotel provides towels and soap to all its guests.
Es responsabilidad del estado proveer de agua potable a la población.
It is the state's responsibility to provide the population with drinking water.
La empresa nos proveyó de todo el equipo necesario para el trabajo.
The company supplied us with all the necessary equipment for the job.
Using the preposition 'de'
In English, we say 'provide WITH.' In Spanish, we use 'de' (of). For example: 'Nos proveen DE comida' (They provide us with food).
The Y-Spelling Rule
When 'i' falls between two vowels in the past tense or the -ing form, it changes to 'y' to keep the sound clear (proveyó, proveyendo).
Using 'con' instead of 'de'
Mistake: “Me proveyeron con los libros.”
Correction: Me proveyeron de los libros. (Spanish requires 'de' when mentioning what is being supplied).
Equipar vs. Dotar vs. Proveer
Related Translations
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