Translation guide
To steal small items or small amounts, often casually or repeatedly. In Japanese, the most natural expressions depend on the nuance: casual taking, shoplifting, or sneaky theft.
To take small things without permission, often in a petty or habitual way.
To steal goods from a store, typically small or inexpensive items.
Standard term for shoplifting. Often used for pilfering from stores.
彼はコンビニでお菓子を万引きした。
He pilfered snacks from the convenience store.
To gradually steal small quantities, often from a larger supply (e.g., money, food).
Literal 'steal little by little'. Clear and natural for pilfering over time.
彼は会社の金を少しずつ盗んでいた。
He was pilfering money from the company little by little.
盗む is the general 'steal'. くすねる is casual and specifically for small, sneaky thefts. 万引きする is exclusively for shoplifting. Use くすねる for pilfering among friends or in informal settings.
彼はいつも人の物をくすねる。
He's always pilfering other people's stuff.
English 'pilfer' often implies petty theft. Direct translations like 小盗みする are not natural. Use the options above depending on context.
General verb for 'steal'. Works for pilfering when the object is small, but it's a broad term.
彼は会社の文房具をよく盗んでいる。
He often pilfers office supplies from the company.
Colloquial verb for sneaking or filching small items. Perfect for casual pilfering.
誰かが俺のペンをくすねた。
Someone pilfered my pen.
Euphemistic, often jokingly used for 'borrowing' without permission. Implies a light, petty theft.
ちょっとそのチョコ、失敬するね。
I'll just pilfer that chocolate, if you don't mind.
Slang for swiping or filching, often used for small thefts or embezzlement. Very casual.
売上金をちょろまかす
pilfer the sales proceeds
Also used for shoplifting, but less specific than 万引き.
店から小さな商品を盗む
pilfer small items from a store
Formal term for embezzlement or misappropriation, often of small amounts over time.
経費を着服していたことが発覚した。
It was discovered that he had been pilfering expenses.