How to say "robber" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 強盗ごうとうnounThe word for robbery proper — taking money or property by force or the threat of it. It also covers muggers, so it is the natural choice for street robberies and hold-ups.
- 泥棒どろぼうnounThe everyday word for someone who steals — a thief or burglar. It can also stand for a robber, but when force or threats are involved 強盗 is the more precise word.
- 盗賊とうぞくnounCovers thieves, robbers and burglars, and adds the sense 'bandit', which gives it an outlaw coloring the others lack. For an ordinary thief use 泥棒, and for robbery with force 強盗.
- 賊ぞくnounA one-character word for a thief or robber. On its own it is seldom the word you want — it belongs mainly to written prose and set phrases; say 強盗 for a robber.
- 盗人ぬすびとnounA dated word for a thief or robber. It has an old-fashioned sound, and in ordinary speech you would say 泥棒 instead — or 強盗 if force is involved.
Use 強盗 for robbery with force or threats, 泥棒 for the ordinary thief or burglar, 盗賊 for a robber with bandit or outlaw overtones, 賊 mainly in writing, and 盗人 only as a dated word.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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