Translation guide
A person who steals by sneaking in and out without being noticed, often while the victim is present or nearby.
sneak thief (burglar when no one is home)
sneak thief (while someone is home)
To refer to a person who steals by sneaking into a place, especially a home, without being detected.
There have been a series of sneak thief incidents in the neighborhood.
Refers to a thief who sneaks in while the resident is home, often at night. Emphasizes stealth and the act of entering.
Lock your doors to avoid being a victim of a sneak thief.
General term for 'thief' or 'burglar'. Can be used for a sneak thief in context, but is broader.
It seems a thief entered through the window.
A petty thief who sneaks around to steal small items. Slightly old-fashioned and colloquial.
I had my wallet stolen by a sneak thief.
空き巣 targets empty houses, while 忍び込み enters when residents are present. Use 空き巣 for daytime burglaries and 忍び込み for nighttime intrusions.