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).
Referring to a pickpocket as a person.
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.
掏摸にご注意ください。
Beware of pickpockets.
Literally 'purse cutter', an old-fashioned term for a pickpocket who cuts the string of a drawstring purse. Rarely used today.
江戸時代には巾着切りが多かった。
In the Edo period, there were many purse cutters.
Referring to the crime or action of pickpocketing.
Can also refer to the act of pickpocketing, though it's more commonly the person. Context clarifies.
スリは犯罪です。
Pickpocketing is a crime.
Same as above, kanji form for the act.
掏摸の被害が増えている。
Pickpocketing incidents are increasing.
The action of stealing from someone's pocket.
The verb meaning 'to pickpocket'. Transitive verb, takes the victim or the item as object.
人混みで財布を掏られた。
I had my wallet pickpocketed in the crowd.
彼は観光客を掏ることで生計を立てていた。
He made a living by pickpocketing tourists.
A phrase meaning 'to commit pickpocketing'. More formal or descriptive.
彼は駅でスリを働いたとして逮捕された。
He was arrested for pickpocketing at the station.
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.
スリは泥棒の一種です。
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.
スリに注意
Beware of pickpockets