hoț
masculine
The Romanian word for thief is hoț.
The word hoț is a masculine noun used to describe a person who carries out a theft.
Meaning: one who carries out theft (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form hoț can be modified to create the definite singular form hoțul, which means 'the thief'. In the plural, the word becomes hoți (thieves). If you need to express 'of the thieves' (the genitive or dative plural), use hoților.
Did you know?
- The word hoț may have evolved from the Latin word ōcior, meaning 'swifter'. This suggests that the term originally described a thief as someone 'swift' or 'sly' rather than just a criminal.
- In Romanian, a 'time thief' is called a hoțul de timp, referring to a person or activity that wastes your time.
- To specify a pickpocket, Romanians combine hoț with de buzunare, which literally translates to 'thief of pockets'.
Examples in context
- Noi am prins hoțul.We captured the thief.This sentence shows how to use the form hoț when referring to a captured thief.Tatoeba #6566603 by fathe, translation #23176 by CK
- Tom trebuie să fie hoțul.Tom must be the thief.This sentence uses the form hoț to express suspicion about a specific person.Tatoeba #13110043 by CataG, translation #12437851 by CK
- Hoțul era înarmat cu un pistol.The thief was weaponed with a pistol.This sentence demonstrates the use of hoț to describe a thief who is armed.Tatoeba #13973428 by Ioan_Cristian, translation #13973427 by Ioan_Cristian
- Poliția l-a prins pe hoțul care a furat bijuteriile de la muzeuThe police caught the thief who stole the jewelry from the museum
- Bunica mea mi-a povestit cum i-a prins pe hoți când au încercat să-i fure geanta.My grandmother told me how she caught the thieves when they tried to steal her purse.
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Stefan and Maria are discussing a crime in their neighborhood.
- StefanMaria, am văzut un hoț.Maria, I saw a thief.
- MariaUnde a fost acel hoț, Stefan?Where was that thief, Stefan?
- StefanHoțul a fugit spre parc.The thief ran towards the park.
- MariaO să chem poliția imediat.I will call the police immediately.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “thief” translations and entries hoț, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hoț, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
