すり

すり
noun
pickpocket
1. pickpocket
A person who steals from others' pockets or bags in public places.
すりに気(き)をつけて。
Watch out for pickpockets.
電車(でんしゃ)ですりに遭(あ)った。
I was pickpocketed on the train.
すりに遭(あ)う = to be pickpocketed
混(こ)んでいる場所(ばしょ)ではすりに注意(ちゅうい)してください。
Please be careful of pickpockets in crowded places.
駅(えき)でバッグの中(なか)から財布(さいふ)をすりに取(と)られたので、すぐに警察(けいさつ)に届(とど)けを出(だ)した。
A pickpocket took my wallet from my bag at the station, so I immediately filed a report with the police.
海外(かいがい)旅行(りょこう)では特(とく)にすりが多(おお)いと聞(き)いたので、財布(さいふ)はいつもポケットではなくバッグの奥(おく)に入(い)れるようにしている。
I heard pickpockets are especially common when traveling abroad, so I always keep my wallet deep in my bag rather than in my pocket.

すり refers to a pickpocket or the act of pickpocketing. Usually written in hiragana (the kanji 掏摸(すり) exists but is rarely used).

Etymology

From the verb 擦(す)る (to rub/swipe), referring to the stealthy hand motion used in pickpocketing.

Common expressions

Related words

Warning signs

すりに注意(ちゅうい) (Beware of pickpockets) is commonly seen in crowded areas like trains and tourist spots.

Related Words

Related: 窃盗(せっとう) (theft (broader crime))
Related: ひったくり (purse-snatching)
Related: 泥棒(どろぼう) (thief, burglar)
Compare: 置(お)き引(び)き (theft of unattended belongings)
core
Added 2026.1.8 12:55 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:31
01000/01330_suri