Translation guide
A burglar is someone who breaks into a building to steal things. In Japanese, the most common and natural word is 空き巣 (akisu), but there are other terms depending on the type of burglary. This guide covers the main words and how to use them naturally.
The most common, everyday word for a burglar who breaks into a home or building to steal things.
The standard word for a burglar who breaks into a house or apartment, especially when no one is home. It literally means 'empty nest'. Used in news, police reports, and daily conversation.
昨日、隣の家に空き巣が入った。
Yesterday, a burglar broke into the neighbor's house.
空き巣に気をつけてください。
Please be careful of burglars.
A general word for 'thief' or 'robber', often used for burglars as well. It can refer to any kind of stealing, including pickpocketing or shoplifting, but is commonly used for home burglaries in casual speech.
泥棒が窓から入った。
A burglar came in through the window.
Technically means 'robber' or 'armed robber', implying violence or threat. Sometimes used loosely for burglars in news, but it's not accurate for a sneaky break-in. Use only if the burglar confronted or threatened someone.
Not a direct equivalent; implies violence or threat, unlike a typical burglar.
強盗がナイフを持っていた。
The robber had a knife.
A burglar who enters a house while people are inside, often more dangerous.
A specific term for a burglar who breaks in while the residents are home. Less common than 空き巣 but important for precise description.
居空きは空き巣より危険です。
A burglar who breaks in while you're home is more dangerous than one who comes when you're out.
Refers to the act of sneaking into a house at night while people are sleeping, often to steal. The person can be called 忍び込みの泥棒 or simply 忍び込み.
忍び込みに遭った。
I had a burglar sneak in at night.
A burglar targeting commercial properties.
Specifically a burglar who breaks into a shop or store. Often used in news.
昨夜、コンビニで店荒らしがあった。
Last night, there was a burglary at a convenience store.
A burglar who breaks into an office.
事務所荒らしがパソコンを盗んだ。
A burglar broke into the office and stole computers.
空き巣 is specifically a burglar who targets homes when empty. 泥棒 is a general thief, including burglars, pickpockets, etc. 強盗 is a robber who uses violence or threats. In English, 'burglar' is often used loosely, but in Japanese, precision matters, especially in police reports.
空き巣は泥棒の一種です。
A burglar is a type of thief.
強盗 implies confrontation and violence. If you say 強盗に入られた when someone just sneaked in and stole things while you were out, it sounds like an armed robbery. Use 空き巣 or 泥棒 instead.
空き巣は裏口から入った。
The burglar got in through the back door.
空き巣対策に防犯カメラを設置した。
We installed a security camera to prevent burglars.