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steal · rob · thief · burglar
N2
On: とうKun: ぬす、ぬすむ

Memory Aid

The top part of 盗 looks like a small house or building. Below it, you see a 皿 (plate) and 匕 (spoon or dagger). Imagine a THIEF breaking into a house, stealing food from a PLATE with a SPOON.

'Tou' — like a THIEF (盗) who needs to be quiet, so they walk on their TOES.

Vocabulary

盗むぬすむto steal
盗難とうなんtheft, robbery
窃盗せっとうlarceny, theft
盗聴とうちょうwiretapping, eavesdropping
盗作とうさくplagiarism

Example Sentences

他人のものを盗んではいけません。

You must not steal other people's belongings.

彼は彼女の心を盗んだ。

He stole her heart.

その車は昨夜、盗難にあった。

That car was stolen last night.

彼は窃盗罪で捕まった。

He was arrested for larceny.

Related Kanji