Translation guide
A person who steals from people's pockets or bags in public places. In Japanese, the most common word is スリ, a loanword from English 'sly'. There are also native terms like 掏摸 (すり) and the verb 掏る (する).
pickpocket (person)
to pickpocket
The most common and neutral term for a pickpocket. It's a loanword from English 'sly', written in katakana.
I had my wallet stolen by a pickpocket on the train.
Kanji form of スリ, meaning pickpocket. Less common in everyday writing but seen in literature or formal contexts.
Beware of pickpockets.
Literally 'purse cutter', an old-fashioned term for a pickpocket who cuts the string of a drawstring purse. Rarely used today.
In the Edo period, there were many purse cutters.
Referring to the crime or action of pickpocketing.
The action of stealing from someone's pocket.
泥棒 is a general term for thief or burglar. スリ specifically refers to a pickpocket who steals from someone's person in public. Using 泥棒 for a pickpocket is not wrong, but スリ is more precise.
A pickpocket is a type of thief.
In Japan, you'll often see signs saying スリに注意 (Beware of pickpockets) in crowded areas. The verb 掏られる is commonly used in the passive form to express being a victim.
Beware of pickpockets
Pickpocketing incidents are increasing.
He was arrested for pickpocketing at the station.