Translation guide
A person who steals from someone or somewhere, often using force or threat. Japanese distinguishes between types of robbers based on method, target, and context.
A person who robs someone, especially in the street or a public place, using violence or intimidation.
The most common and general term for a robber who uses force or threat. Covers bank robbers, muggers, etc.
昨日、銀行に強盗が入った。
Yesterday, a robber entered the bank.
彼は強盗に襲われて財布を取られた。
He was attacked by a robber and had his wallet taken.
A more literary or historical term for a robber or bandit. Often used in stories or news about organized groups.
その村は盗賊に襲われた。
The village was attacked by robbers.
A historical term for a highwayman or footpad who robs travelers. Rare in modern usage.
江戸時代には追いはぎが旅人を襲った。
In the Edo period, highway robbers attacked travelers.
A person who breaks into a building to steal, especially at night.
Specifically a burglar who targets empty houses. Very common in crime reports.
近所で空き巣が多発している。
There have been a lot of burglaries in the neighborhood.
空き巣に入られて宝石を盗まれた。
A burglar broke in and stole my jewelry.
General term for thief, but often used for burglars or sneak thieves. Less specific than 空き巣.
Literary term for a night burglar. Rarely used in everyday speech.
A robber who uses weapons, often targeting banks or stores.
Standard term for a bank robber.
銀行強盗が拳銃を持って押し入った。
A bank robber burst in with a handgun.
Armed robber, emphasizing the use of weapons.
武装強盗が宝石店を襲った。
Armed robbers attacked the jewelry store.
A robber who attacks people in public places to steal their belongings.
Specifically a snatch-and-run thief, often on a bicycle or motorbike. Very common term.
ひったくりにバッグを取られた。
I had my bag snatched by a mugger.
夜道でひったくりに遭わないように気をつけて。
Be careful not to get mugged on the street at night.
A robber who operates at sea.
Standard term for pirate, both historical and modern.
ソマリア沖で海賊がタンカーを襲った。
Pirates attacked a tanker off the coast of Somalia.
強盗 (robber) implies force or threat, while 泥棒 (thief) is a broader term for stealing, often secretly. A 強盗 is a type of 泥棒, but not all 泥棒 are 強盗.
強盗はナイフを突きつけて金を奪った。
The robber threatened with a knife and took the money.
泥棒がこっそり家に入って現金を盗んだ。
A thief sneaked into the house and stole cash.
In English, 'robber' implies force or threat. Shoplifting without confrontation is usually 万引き (まんびき), not 強盗.
強盗はレジ係に銃を突きつけた。
The robber pointed a gun at the cashier.
留守中に空き巣に入られた。
A burglar broke into my apartment while I was away.
帰り道でひったくりに遭った。
I was mugged on my way home.
泥棒が窓から侵入した。
A burglar entered through the window.
There are signs that a night burglar sneaked in.
Street robbery or street robber, more formal and includes violence.
昨夜、駅前で路上強盗が発生した。
Last night, a street robbery occurred in front of the station.