godan verb (-mu), transitive verb
steal; take without permission
Core meaning: taking someone else's property or valuables secretly and illegally.
誰かが私の財布を盗んだ。
Someone stole my wallet.
美術館から絵が盗まれた。
A painting was stolen from the museum.
godan verb (-mu), transitive verb
plagiarize; steal an idea; learn by watching
Used for stealing intellectual property, copying techniques, or learning by secretly observing someone's methods. The 'watch and learn' nuance is often positive or neutral in context.
彼は先輩の技術を盗んで上達した。
He improved by learning his senior's techniques through observation.
その記事は他のサイトから文章を盗んでいる。
That article is plagiarizing text from other sites.
godan verb (-mu), transitive verb
do stealthily; do without being noticed
Often used in the phrase 目を盗んで, meaning to do something while someone isn't looking or without being noticed.
親の目を盗んでゲームをした。
I played games without my parents noticing.
godan verb (-mu), transitive verb
do in scant time; squeeze in
Usually used in the phrase 暇を盗んで, meaning to find or make time for something despite a busy schedule.
忙しい合間を盗んで読書を楽しんでいる。
I enjoy reading by squeezing in time during my busy schedule.
godan verb (-mu), transitive verb
steal a base
Baseball term for advancing to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball.
ランナーが二塁を盗んだ。
The runner stole second base.