窃贼
The English word "burglar" is 窃贼 in Mandarin.
窃贼 is used to refer to a burglar.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 窃 (qiè), meaning 'to steal secretly' and 贼 (zéi), meaning 'thief' or 'bandit'.
Which one should you use?
While 窃贼 is a more formal and literary term for a burglar or thief, 小偷 is the common, everyday word used for a thief or pickpocket.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
窃贼 is a formal term often found in news reports, literature or police descriptions, whereas 小偷 is used in casual conversation. You may also use 盗贼 as a formal term for a burglar or thief.
Did you know?
- The character 窃 (qiè) is also used in the phrase 窃以为 (qiè yǐwéi), which is a very humble way to say 'I venture to think' or 'I privately believe'.
- In Chinese internet slang, the character 贼 can sometimes be used as an adverb meaning 'extremely' or 'very' in certain northern dialects.
- In certain historical contexts, the word 贼 (zéi) was used by emperors to label entire rebel groups as 'thieves' to strip them of political legitimacy.
Examples in context
- 请帮我报警，有盗贼闯入了我的家里Please help me call the police, there is a burglar who broke into my house.
- 窃贼趁我不在家的时候闯入The burglar broke in when I was not at home.
- 别忘记锁上门，以防小偷进来Don't forget to lock the door to prevent burglars from entering.
Example conversation
A woman and a man are discussing a news report about a local crime.
- 欣怡 Xinyi你看到新闻了吗？Nǐ kàndào xīnwén le ma?Did you see the news?
- 俊杰 Junjie没看到，怎么了？Méi kàndào, zěnme le?No, what happened?
- 欣怡 Xinyi有个窃贼闯入了那家商店。Yǒu ge qièzéí chuǎng rù le nà jiā shāngdiàn.A burglar broke into that shop.
- 俊杰 Junjie那真是太可怕了。Nà zhēn shì tài kěpà le.That is truly terrifying.
