clepō
The English verb 'steal' can be translated into Latin as clepō or fūror.
Meaning: to illegally take possession of (verb)
Ways to say it
| Latin |
|---|
| clepō |
| fūror |
These terms are used to describe the act of illegally taking possession of something. In specific contexts, other verbs may be more appropriate: surripio is a formal term for steal that emphasizes the discreet nature of stealing, while in Ecclesiastical Latin, aufero can be used when referring to steal.
Did you know?
- The root rapio found in surripio is also the ancestor of the English word 'rapture'. Originally, it described the act of being 'seized' or 'carried away' by force or emotion.
- In ancient Rome, the penalty for theft furtum varied wildly based on what was stolen. For example, stealing a four-footed animal often carried a much harsher penalty than stealing an inanimate object.
- The Latin word clepō is the ancestor of the English word 'kleptomaniac'. While 'steal' is Germanic, the medical term for compulsive stealing comes directly from this Latin root.
Examples in context
- Furtim libros surripuit.He/she quietly stole the books.
- Ille multos nummos furatus est.He stole many coins.
- Theologus neglegens textum sacrum auferre tentavit.The careless theologian tried to steal the sacred text.
Example conversation
Julia and Marcus are discussing a missing ring.
- JuliaMarce, quis annulōs meōs clepit?Marcus, who is stealing my rings?
- MarcusEgo nihil clepō, Iūlia.I steal nothing, Julia.
- JuliaSed annuli periērunt!But the rings have disappeared!
- MarcusFortasse in domō sunt.Perhaps they are in the house.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “steal” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
