強盗
gōtō[ɡo̞ːto̞ː]
The English word "robbery" is 強盗 (gōtō) in Japanese.
強盗 is a general term for robbery. To specifically refer to a robbery incident, you can use 強盗事件. If you want to express the action of committing a robbery, you can use the phrase 強盗に入る. For an act of outright seizure or plunder that carries a more intense connotation, the word 強奪 is used.
Meaning: act or practice of robbing (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 強盗 is composed of two kanji: 強, which means strong or forceful and 盗, which means to steal or rob.
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between 強盗 and 窃盗. While 強盗 refers to robbery involving force or threats against a person, 窃盗 refers to theft or larceny where no force is used against a person.
How do you pronounce it?
gōtō
Did you know?
- The kanji 盗 in 強盗 is composed of a 'person' radical and a symbol for 'stealing'. Interestingly, the same character is used in the term 盗作 to describe plagiarism, treating the theft of an idea like a physical robbery.
- In historical contexts, the word 強盗 was used to describe 'mountain bandits' or 山賊. These groups operated as organized gangs in rural areas rather than individual urban criminals.
- While an English speaker might say they 'committed a robbery', a Japanese speaker might use the phrase 強盗に入る (gōtō ni hairu), which literally means 'to enter into robbery'.
Examples in context
- 銀行強盗すると懲役１０年食らうぞ。Bank robbery will cost you ten years in prison.This sentence uses 強盗 to describe the consequence of a bank robbery.Tatoeba #179555 by KK_kaku_, translation #18413 by piksea
- 警察はその強盗事件に関連のある容疑者を逮捕した。The police arrested a suspect in connection with the robbery.This sentence uses 強盗 to refer to a specific robbery incident.Tatoeba #237018 by mookeee, translation #238215 by CK
- 強盗事件は警察に報告されました。The robbery incident has been reported to the police.
- 強奪犯はまだ逃走中です。The robber is still at large.
- 昨日、銀行で強盗があったんだよ。There was a robbery at the bank yesterday, you know.
- あの泥棒はユニークな方法で宝石を盗んだんだ。That thief stole the jewels in a unique way, you know.
- 昨夜、近所のコンビニで強盗が発生した。Sakunya, kinjo no konbini de goutou ga hassei shita.A robbery occurred at a nearby convenience store last night.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a news report on the street.
- 大翔 Hirotoこの強盗のニュース、見た？Kono goutou no nyuusu, mita?Did you see this robbery news?
- 陽葵 Himariええ、すごく怖かったわ。Ee, sugoku kowakatta wa.Yes, it was very scary.
- 大翔 Hiroto犯人はまだ捕まっていないみたいだよ。Hannin wa mada tsukamatte inai mitai da yo.It seems the culprit hasn't been caught yet.
- 陽葵 Himari早く捕まえてほしいわね。Hayaku tsukamaete hoshii wa ne.I hope they catch him soon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “robbery” translations and entries 強盗, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
