Translation guide
The crime of entering a building illegally to steal things. In Japanese, this is most commonly expressed with specific terms for the act or the criminal, but natural phrasing often focuses on the break-in or theft itself.
Referring to the criminal act of breaking into a building to steal
General term for robbery or burglary involving force or threat. Often used in news reports.
There was a burglary in the neighborhood last night.
Specifically a burglar who targets empty houses. Very common in everyday conversation.
I double-lock the doors to avoid burglaries.
Legal term for unlawful entry into a dwelling, often combined with theft.
He was arrested on suspicion of burglary.
General term for theft, but can be used for burglary when context implies breaking in.
The police are investigating it as a burglary case.
Referring to the person who commits burglary
A burglar who targets empty houses. Very specific and common.
Burglars have been hitting this area frequently.
A robbery/burglary offender. Used in news and formal contexts.
General word for thief; can refer to a burglar in context.
Describing the action of breaking in and stealing
Literally 'enter as an empty-house thief'. Natural way to say 'burglarize a house'.
The house next door was burglarized.
To break into a place, often for robbery. Used in news.
To enter with intent to steal. Less specific but understandable.
空き巣 (akisu) specifically means a burglar who targets unoccupied homes, while 強盗 (gōtō) implies robbery with force or threat, often when people are present. For typical home burglaries when no one is home, 空き巣 is more precise.
There is no single Japanese word that perfectly matches the legal definition of 'burglary' (entering a building with intent to commit a crime). Using 強盗 or 空き巣 is usually sufficient, but in legal contexts, 住居侵入罪 (crime of unlawful entry) may be used.
The burglar hasn't been caught yet.
泥棒が窓から入ったらしい。
It seems a burglar got in through the window.
犯人は夜中に店に押し入った。
The culprit burglarized the store at night.
There are signs that someone burglarized the warehouse.