Translation guide
A person who steals things of relatively low value, often opportunistically. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through specific nouns and compound words that emphasize the small scale or nature of the theft.
A person who commits minor thefts, such as shoplifting or stealing small items.
A common, somewhat colloquial term for a petty thief or sneak thief. Often used for someone who steals small items from homes or shops.
A petty thief stole my wallet.
General word for 'thief' or 'burglar'. Can refer to any kind of thief, but context often implies petty theft when used without modifiers.
A thief was caught at the store.
Specifically a shoplifter. Very common term for petty theft from stores.
Shoplifting is a crime.
A burglar who targets empty houses. More specific than general petty thief, but still involves theft of property.
A burglar broke into the house next door.
A thief who steals secretly, often small items, without confrontation.
こそ泥 specifically implies a petty, sneaky thief, while 泥棒 is a broader term for any thief or burglar. Use こそ泥 when you want to emphasize the small scale or sneakiness.
The English phrase 'petty thief' is not directly translated word-for-word. Avoid literal translations like 小さい泥棒 (small thief), which sounds unnatural.
The cat burglar sneaked into the daimyo's mansion.