Translation guide
The English verb 'steal' covers a range of actions from literal theft to metaphorical taking. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 盗む (nusumu), but different words are used depending on the object (money, ideas, hearts) and context (robbery, shoplifting, plagiarism). This guide organizes the main meanings and provides natural Japanese expressions for each.
To take someone else's property illegally or without permission.
The most common and general verb for 'steal'. It can be used for physical objects, money, and abstract things like ideas or time.
誰かが私の財布を盗んだ。
Someone stole my wallet.
彼は会社の金を盗んだ。
He stole money from the company.
A more colloquial verb for 'steal', often used in spoken Japanese. It can also mean 'to take' in a broader sense, but context makes it clear.
あいつ、俺のアイデアを盗ったんだ。
That guy stole my idea.
A formal or legal term for 'theft' or 'to commit theft'. Used in news reports and legal contexts.
彼は窃盗の容疑で逮捕された。
He was arrested on suspicion of theft.
To steal from a person or place using force or threat, or by breaking in.
Means 'to snatch', 'to rob', or 'to take by force'. It implies a more aggressive or sudden taking than 盗む.
強盗が銀行から現金を奪った。
The robber stole cash from the bank.
彼は私のバッグを奪い取った。
He snatched my bag.
A stronger, more formal word for 'rob' or 'plunder'. Often used in news about armed robbery.
武装した男が宝石店を強奪した。
Armed men robbed the jewelry store.
To steal items from a store.
The specific verb for 'shoplifting'. It is a compound of 万 (many) and 引き (pull), but used as a set phrase.
彼女は化粧品を万引きした。
She shoplifted cosmetics.
Can also be used for shoplifting, but 万引きする is more specific and common in this context.
店からお菓子を盗んだ。
He stole candy from the store.
To captivate or charm someone romantically.
Literally 'to steal someone's heart'. A common romantic expression.
彼は彼女の心を奪った。
He stole her heart.
Means 'to make someone fall in love at first sight'. It conveys the idea of stealing someone's heart instantly.
彼女は彼を一目惚れさせた。
She stole his heart at first sight.
To attract the most attention or praise in a performance or event.
Literally 'to snatch the leading role'. Used when someone unexpectedly outshines others.
彼女の演技が主役をさらった。
Her performance stole the show.
Means 'to attract attention'. A more general phrase, not as strong as 'steal the show'.
彼のスピーチが注目を集めた。
His speech stole the spotlight.
To take someone else's work, ideas, or words and use them as one's own.
Means 'to plagiarize' or 'to appropriate (ideas, writings)'. Used in academic or creative contexts.
彼は他人の論文を盗用した。
He plagiarized someone else's thesis.
A slang verb meaning 'to steal' or 'to rip off'. Commonly used for copying ideas, designs, or jokes.
そのデザイン、パクったの？
Did you steal that design?
Can also be used for stealing ideas, but 盗用する is more precise for plagiarism.
To do something quickly or secretly, often with 'glance', 'look', 'moment', etc.
Means 'to steal a glance' or 'to glance at'. ちらりと is an onomatopoeia for a quick, furtive look.
彼は彼女をちらりと見た。
He stole a glance at her.
Means 'to look secretly'. こっそり implies doing something stealthily.
彼はこっそりと答案を見た。
He stole a look at the answer sheet.
In baseball, to advance to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball.
The standard baseball term for 'to steal a base'.
彼は二塁に盗塁した。
He stole second base.
盗む (nusumu) is the general word for 'steal', often done secretly. 奪う (ubau) implies taking by force or snatching, and can be used for abstract things like hearts or attention. Use 盗む for theft, 奪う for robbery or seizing.
The English phrase 'steal a kiss' is not directly translated with 盗む. Instead, use expressions like キスをする (to kiss) or 不意にキスをする (to kiss unexpectedly).
彼は彼女に不意にキスをした。
He stole a kiss from her.
He stole my idea.