Translation guide
Larceny is a legal term for theft of personal property. In everyday English, it's often just called 'theft' or 'stealing'. This guide covers how to express the concept in Japanese, from legal contexts to casual speech.
The most common way to refer to the act of stealing, usable in everyday conversation and news reports.
The standard legal and formal term for theft or larceny. Used in crime statistics, news, and legal documents. Not typically used in casual conversation.
彼は窃盗の罪で逮捕された。
He was arrested on charges of larceny.
A general noun meaning 'stealing' or 'theft'. More common in everyday language than 窃盗, but still somewhat formal.
盗みは犯罪です。
Stealing is a crime.
Literally 'thief' or 'burglar', but can also refer to the act of theft in phrases like 泥棒に入る (to be burglarized). Very common in spoken Japanese.
家に泥棒が入った。
My house was burglarized.
A nominalized form of the verb 盗む (to steal), meaning 'the act of stealing'. Useful when you need a noun phrase.
盗むことは悪いことだ。
Stealing is wrong.
Japanese has specific terms for different kinds of theft, such as shoplifting, pickpocketing, and burglary.
Shoplifting. A very common term in stores and news.
万引きは窃盗罪になります。
Shoplifting constitutes larceny.
Pickpocketing. Refers to the act or the pickpocket themselves.
電車ですりにあった。
I was pickpocketed on the train.
Burglary of an unoccupied house. A common type of theft in Japan.
Robbery (theft with violence or intimidation). More serious than simple larceny, but sometimes included in broad discussions of theft.
When discussing larceny in a strictly legal sense, such as in court or statutes.
The crime of larceny/theft. Used in legal codes and formal accusations.
窃盗罪で起訴された。
He was indicted for larceny.
The crime of larceny. A slightly less technical phrase than 窃盗罪.
窃盗の罪を犯した。
He committed the crime of larceny.
窃盗 is a formal and legal term. In everyday conversation, use 盗み or describe the action with verbs like 盗む (to steal) or 取る (to take).
窃盗 (larceny/theft) is taking property without violence. 強盗 (robbery) involves violence or intimidation. They are distinct crimes in Japanese law.
彼は窃盗罪で起訴された。
He was charged with larceny.
万引きは窃盗の一種です。
Shoplifting is a form of larceny.
Burglaries are on the rise.
強盗事件が発生した。
A robbery occurred.