How to say "burglary" in Japanese

• 泥棒どろぼうJLPT N4approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbThe everyday word for stealing in general, including break-in burglary. It carries no suggestion of violence, so it fits a quiet break-in better than a holdup.
• 強盗ごうとうJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounPrimarily robbery — taking from a person by force or threat — though it also serves for break-in burglary, with an implication of violence that 泥棒 lacks.
  暴力団ぼうりょくだんは強盗ごうとうを計画けいかくしていた。↗

  The gang was planning a robbery.
• 押し込みおしこみCommon
  nounBurglary with the emphasis on forcing one's way into a building; it can also mean the burglar. Choose it when the break-in itself, rather than theft in general, is the point.

For burglary in the everyday sense of a break-in, 泥棒 is the default; 強盗 adds the idea of robbery with force or violence, and 「押し込み」 highlights the forcible entry itself.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 空き巣狙いあきすねらいburglary (of an empty house)
• 盗犯とうはんburglary
• 空き巣被害あきすひがいburglary (carried out while a house is temporarily vacated)
• 居空きいあきburglary (while occupants are present)
• 夜稼ぎよかせぎnight work
• 強盗事件ごうとうじけんrobbery
• 泥棒どろぼうtheft
• 強盗ごうとうrobbery
• 押し込みおしこみburglary
• 空き巣あきすburglary (of an empty house)
• 切り取りきりとりrobbery with assault