Translation and Meaning of: 盗み - nusumi

The Japanese word 「盗み」 (nusumi) refers to the act of theft or burglary. It is a noun derived from the verb 「盗む」 (nusumu), which means to steal or to loot. The formation of the word involves the use of the kanji 「盗」, which by itself represents the concept of theft or plunder. This kanji is composed of the radical 「⺔」, which can be related to various ideograms conveying the idea of human behavior, and the radical 「甫」, which is often associated with growth or beginning, but in this case contributes to the construction of the meaning of illicit action.

In terms of etymology, the word 「盗み」 can be traced back to ancient times when Japanese society followed a rigid system of morality. The culture traditionally valued honor and honesty, and the act of stealing was seen not only as a break of the law but also as a moral transgression. The use of 「盗み」 in everyday language has negative connotations, reflecting the cultural disapproval of dishonest behavior.

The act of stealing, or 「ぬすみ」 (nusumi), is widely condemned both in modern society and in the cultural history of Japan. Besides its use in legal and criminal contexts, the word also frequently appears in literary works and Japanese folk tales, where characters who commit theft often face moral or spiritual retribution. This cultural usage helps to reinforce moral values within society, discouraging such behavior among people.

Regarding the variations and uses of the word, 「盗み」 can appear in various compound expressions, such as 「盗み聞き」 (nusumi-giki), which means to listen in stealthily or eavesdrop on a conversation without permission. Another example is 「盗み見」 (nusumi-mi), which means to look secretly. These variations expand the meaning of the word, applying it to different forms of social transgression.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 盗難 (とうなん) - Robbery; crime of robbery, generally related to goods.
• 盗み取り (ぬすみとり) - Theft; the act of stealing something from someone, with an emphasis on taking objects.
• 窃盗 (せっとう) - Thefts; the act of stealing, a form of robbery that is characterized by clandestineness.
• 泥棒 (どろぼう) - Thief; a term used to refer to a criminal who commits thefts.

盗み

Romaji: nusumi
Kana: ぬすみ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: roubando

Meaning in English: stealing

Definition: Take away someone else's property.

Example Sentences - (盗み) nusumi

See below some example sentences:

盗みはいけません。

Nusumi wa ikemasen

Stealing is not allowed.

Do not steal.

• 盗み - "roubo" in Japanese
• は - Japanese topic particle
• いけません - "not acceptable" in Japanese, used to express a prohibition or rule
• . - full stop in Japanese