Translation guide
The English word 'armory' can refer to a place where weapons are stored, a collection of weapons, or metaphorically to a range of resources. This guide covers the most common Japanese equivalents depending on the intended meaning.
A building or room used for storing weapons and military equipment.
The most direct and common translation for a physical storage place for weapons. Used in military, historical, and general contexts.
That castle had a large armory.
Specifically refers to a storage place for military weapons and ordnance, often larger scale or more formal than 武器庫.
The military armory was attacked.
Refers to a storage place for armor and traditional weapons, often in historical or samurai contexts.
Old armor is displayed in the museum's armory.
The entire stock of weapons owned by a person, group, or nation.
A figurative collection of tools, methods, or abilities available to someone.
In Japanese, 武器 (weapon) is often used metaphorically to mean a strong point, skill, or resource one can use. The phrase 武器になる means 'to be an asset/weapon'. Avoid literal translation of 'armory' in this sense.
Language skills are an asset in your career (literally: become a weapon).
He has many skills/resources at his disposal.
An idiomatic expression meaning to have a wide range of skills, ideas, or resources (literally 'many drawers'). Used for a person's versatile abilities.
Do not use 武器庫 or 兵器庫 when talking about a person's skills or resources. These words only refer to physical storage places. For metaphorical 'armory', use 武器 metaphorically or idiomatic expressions like 引き出しが多い.
Reduce the nuclear armory.
He has a large armory of skills, so he can solve any problem.