Translation and Meaning of: 泥棒 - dorobou
On this page, we will study the meaning of the Japanese word 泥棒 (dorobou) and its translation into English. Let's see their different meanings, example phrases, explanations, etymology and the similar words.
Romaji: dorobou
Kana: どろぼう
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n4
Translation / Meaning: burglar; burglar; criminal; theft
Meaning in English: thief;burglar;robber;theft
Definition: A person who steals another person's property.
Sumário
- Etymology
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Phrases
Explanation and Etymology - (泥棒) dorobou
The Japanese word 「泥棒」 (dorobou) is used to describe someone who steals or commits theft. The expression is composed of two kanji: 「泥」 (doro), which means "mud" or "mire," and 「棒」 (bou), which means "stick" or "rod." The combination of these kanji gives rise to the idea of a cunning person who oscillates between stealth and cleverness to seize others' belongings, almost like a stealthy character moving through the mud with a stick.
The etymology of the word suggests an interesting symbolism. The kanji 「泥」 has been used metaphorically to refer to people who tarnish their reputation or morals, navigating through "muddy" situations in life. Meanwhile, 「棒」 symbolizes direct actions, perhaps reflecting the association of thieves with some type of instrument or tool used to commit thefts. The association between the two kanji suggests a symbolic history of crimes that many in this secular profession have perfected over time.
The origin of this word can be traced back to the historical context of feudal Japan, an era where the security of belongings was a daily concern due to social instability. The term began to gain cultural contours in the stories and legends of famous thieves, immortalized in literature and theater, such as kabuki. Even in modern times, the expression remains relevant, used to describe a wide range of illegal activities involving misappropriation.
In the Japanese language, there are related terms that also have interesting origins and can complement the understanding of 「泥棒」. For example, 「盗賊」 (touzoku), which also refers to thieves, but with a more formal or specific connotation, often used to describe high-level thieves, such as those who infiltrate protected properties or territories. The way these words intertwine in the Japanese language and culture highlights the complexity and richness of meaning that this language provides.
Synonyms and similar words
- 盗人 (nusumin) - Individual who steals; common thief.
- 盗賊 (touzoku) - Thief; a more formal term that can refer to a thief of large proportions, like a bandit.
- 泥棒猫 (dorobou-neko) - Literally "thief cat"; it refers to a cat that steals food or small objects, but it can also mean a person who exhibits stealing behaviors.
- 窃盗犯 (settouhan) - A criminal who commits theft; a more technical term that refers to the perpetrator of a theft crime.
Words with the same pronunciation: どろぼう dorobou
How to Write in Japanese - (泥棒) dorobou
See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese (泥棒) dorobou:
Example Sentences - (泥棒) dorobou
Below are some example sentences:
Kare wa dorobō o tsukamaeta
He captured the thief.
He caught a thief.
- 彼 (kare) - he
- は (wa) - topic particle
- 泥棒 (dorobou) - burglar
- を (wo) - direct object particle
- 捕まえた (tsukamaeta) - captured
Kare wa dorobou o toratta
He captured the thief.
He caught a thief.
- 彼 - Japanese pronoun meaning "he"
- は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
- 泥棒 - Japanese noun meaning "thief"
- を - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
- 捕まった - Japanese verb meaning "captured"
Dorobou wa warui koto desu
Stealing is a bad thing.
A thief is bad.
- 泥棒 - means "thief" in Japanese.
- は - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "thief".
- 悪い - adjective meaning "bad".
- こと - noun meaning "thing" or "fact".
- です - verb "to be" in polite form.
Other words of the same type: noun
See other words from our dictionary that are also: noun
