山賊
Meanings
1
Refers to robbers who operate in mountainous or remote areas, often in historical or folkloric contexts. In modern usage, it can be used figuratively for unscrupulous people who prey on others.
They say bandits used to live in these mountains long ago.
They were attacked by brigands and robbed of their money and belongings.
Usage patterns
- 山賊に襲われるto be attacked by bandits
The travelers were attacked by bandits on the mountain path.
- 山賊が出るfor bandits to appear/haunt an area
It's said that bandits used to appear on this mountain long ago.
- 山賊の頭the leader/chief of a band of bandits
He was the most feared bandit chief in this region.