泥棒(どろぼう) どろぼう noun thief, burglar 1. thief, burglar, robber A person who steals things, especially by breaking into houses. 泥棒(どろぼう)に入(はい)られた。 A burglar broke in. / We were robbed. Passive form indicating victim 泥棒(どろぼう)が捕(つか)まった。 The thief was caught. 泥棒(どろぼう)に気(き)をつけてください。 Please watch out for thieves. 留守(るす)の間(あいだ)に泥棒(どろぼう)が入(はい)った。 A thief broke in while we were away. 泥棒(どろぼう)は窓(まど)から逃(に)げた。 The thief escaped through the window. 泥棒(どろぼう) typically refers to burglars or thieves who break into homes.COMMON EXPRESSIONS:泥棒(どろぼう)に入(はい)られる: to be burglarized泥棒(どろぼう)を捕(つか)まえる: to catch a thief泥棒(どろぼう)猫(ねこ): cat burglar; sneaky personRELATED TERMS:窃盗(せっとう): theft (legal/formal term)空(あ)き巣(す): burglar (when residents are away)万引(まんび)き: shoplifting強盗(ごうとう): robbery (with violence/threat)Note: 泥棒(どろぼう) is also used figuratively: 時間(じかん)泥棒(どろぼう) (time thief - something that wastes time) core Added 2026.1.9 21:07 · Revised 2026.5.17 1:23 01500/01688_dorobou