Translation guide
A mental health condition characterized by a recurrent urge to steal, typically without need or profit. In Japanese, it is usually expressed with the clinical term 窃盗癖 or described as a compulsive behavior.
kleptomania (clinical)
The medical/psychiatric condition of kleptomania
Standard clinical term for kleptomania. Used in medical and formal contexts.
She was diagnosed with kleptomania.
Alternative clinical term, sometimes used in DSM-5 translations. Slightly less common than 窃盗癖.
Kleptomania is one of the impulse control disorders.
Explaining the compulsive stealing behavior in everyday language
Literally 'stealing habit'. Used in casual conversation to describe a tendency to steal, not necessarily clinical.
He seems to have a stealing habit.
Specifically refers to a shoplifting habit. More specific than 盗み癖.
I can't stop shoplifting.
Literally 'urge to steal'. Used to describe the impulse itself.
I'm driven by an urge to steal.
Kleptomania is a clinical diagnosis. In casual Japanese, simply saying 盗む (to steal) does not convey the compulsive, psychological aspect. Use 窃盗癖 for the condition.