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
Referring to the person who commits burglary
Describing the action of breaking in and stealing
Literally 'enter as an empty-house thief'. Natural way to say 'burglarize a house'.
隣の家が空き巣に入られた。
The house next door was burglarized.
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.
General term for robbery or burglary involving force or threat. Often used in news reports.
昨夜、近所で強盗事件がありました。
There was a burglary in the neighborhood last night.
Specifically a burglar who targets empty houses. Very common in everyday conversation.
空き巣に遭わないように、鍵を二重にかけています。
I double-lock the doors to avoid burglaries.
Legal term for unlawful entry into a dwelling, often combined with theft.
彼は住居侵入の容疑で逮捕された。
He was arrested on suspicion of burglary.
General term for theft, but can be used for burglary when context implies breaking in.
警察は窃盗事件として捜査しています。
The police are investigating it as a burglary case.
A burglar who targets empty houses. Very specific and common.
空き巣狙いがこの地域で多発しています。
Burglars have been hitting this area frequently.
A robbery/burglary offender. Used in news and formal contexts.
強盗犯はまだ捕まっていません。
The burglar hasn't been caught yet.
General word for thief; can refer to a burglar in context.
泥棒が窓から入ったらしい。
It seems a burglar got in through the window.
To break into a place, often for robbery. Used in news.
犯人は夜中に店に押し入った。
The culprit burglarized the store at night.
To enter with intent to steal. Less specific but understandable.
誰かが倉庫に盗みに入った形跡がある。
There are signs that someone burglarized the warehouse.