Translation guide
A person who steals, especially secretly and without violence.
A person who steals things, typically without the victim noticing at the time.
The most common and general word for a thief or burglar. Can refer to the act of stealing as well.
A thief broke into my house last night.
Catch a thief.
A slightly old-fashioned or literary word for thief. Often used in proverbs or set phrases.
Even a thief has his reasons. (proverb)
A legal term for a thief or larcenist. Used in news reports and formal contexts.
The thief was arrested.
A thief who enters a building illegally to steal.
A burglar who targets houses when the occupants are away. Very common in crime news.
A burglar stole my cash.
Technically a robber (uses violence or threats), but often used loosely for a burglar in news. Be careful: it implies force.
Implies violence or threat, not just stealth.
A thief who steals from a person's clothing or bag in a public place.
A pickpocket. Often used as a noun or as part of the verb すりをする (to pickpocket).
I had my wallet stolen by a pickpocket on the train.
Watch out for pickpockets.
A thief who steals goods from a shop while pretending to be a customer.
Shoplifting or a shoplifter. Can be used as a noun or with する (to shoplift).
Shoplifting is a crime.
Used as part of a compound to specify the type of thief or theft.
泥棒 is a general thief who steals secretly. 強盗 is a robber who uses violence or threats. すり is a pickpocket who steals from your person. Use 泥棒 for most everyday thefts unless force or pickpocketing is involved.
The English loanword シーフ (thief) is not commonly used in Japanese. It may appear in video game or fantasy contexts, but in real life, use 泥棒 or the specific terms above.
銀行強盗が逃走中だ。
The bank robber is on the run.
That boy was caught shoplifting.
盗賊が村を襲った。
Bandits attacked the village.