Translation and Meaning of: 強盗 - goutou

If you are studying Japanese or are curious about the language, you have probably come across the word 強盗[ごうとう]. It appears in news articles, stories, and even in some animes, but what exactly does it mean? In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, and how it is used in everyday Japanese. In addition, we will look at tips for memorizing it and understanding its cultural context. Here at Suki Nihongo, our goal is to provide clear and precise explanations for those who want to master the language.

The meaning and origin of 強盗[ごうとう]

The word 強盗[ごうとう] means "robbery" or "assault." It is composed of two kanji: 強 (strong, to force) and 盗 (to steal). Together, they convey the idea of a violent or coercive act to take something that is not yours. This combination reflects the meaning of the word well, as it refers to a crime involving the use of force or threat.

The term originates from ancient Japanese and follows a common structure in words related to crimes. While 盗 alone can mean "theft" in a more general sense, 強盗 specifies a robbery with violence. This distinction is important in the legal and police vocabulary of Japan, where the word is frequently used in formal contexts.

How and when to use 強盗[ごうとう]

Robbery it's not a word you would use in daily life, unless you are reading news or discussing a criminal case. It frequently appears in reports about bank, store, or home robberies. For example, a headline like "強盗がコンビニを襲う" (A robber attacks a convenience store) would be common in Japanese newspapers.

It is worth noting that, culturally, Japan has a relatively low crime rate, but when crimes like this occur, they attract significant media attention. Therefore, even if you don't need the word in everyday conversations, it is useful to recognize it when consuming content in Japanese.

Tips for memorization and curiosities

An effective way to memorize 強盗[ごうとう] is to associate the kanjis that compose it. The first, 強, appears in words like 強い (strong) and 強制 (obligation), while 盗 is used in 泥棒 (thief) and 盗む (to steal). This relationship helps to reinforce the meaning of "robbery with force."

Interestingly, this word is less used in informal conversations, where Japanese people may prefer terms like 泥棒 (dorobō - thief) or more colloquial expressions. However, in legal or journalistic contexts, 強盗 (gōtō - burglary) is the standard choice. If you watch police dramas or read suspense mangas, you will likely encounter it frequently.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 強奪 (goudatsu) - Violent robbery; to take something by force.
• 盗賊 (touzoku) - Thief; generally refers to a thief who organizes in a group.
• 泥棒 (dorobou) - Thief; a generic term for a thief, often used to refer to common thieves.
• 窃盗 (settou) - Theft; robbery in which the thief is not necessarily violent or aggressive.
• 盗み (nusumi) - The act of stealing, theft; more generally related to the act of theft itself.

強盗

Romaji: goutou
Kana: ごうとう
Type: Noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: theft; burglary

Meaning in English: robbery;burglary

Definition: The act of forcibly taking someone else's property.

Example Sentences - (強盗) goutou

See below some example sentences:

強盗は犯罪です。

Goutou wa hanzai desu

Theft is a crime.

Assault is a crime.

• 強盗 - Means "theft" in Japanese.
• は - Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 犯罪 - means "crime" in Japanese.
• です - verb "to be" in Japanese, indicating that the sentence is a statement.