空(あ)き巣(す)

あきす

noun

burglary; sneak thief

1. burglary of an empty house; sneak thief; prowler

Breaking into and stealing from a house or building while the occupants are away. Also refers to the person who commits this crime.

空(あ)き巣(す)に入(はい)られた。

Our house was broken into.

この地域(ちいき)では空(あ)き巣(す)の被害(ひがい)が増(ふ)えている。

Burglaries have been increasing in this area.

旅行中(りょこうちゅう)に空(あ)き巣(す)に入(はい)られないよう、戸締(とじ)まりを確認(かくにん)した。

I checked the locks to make sure we wouldn't be burgled while traveling.

Usage

Can refer to both the act of burglary and the burglar themselves. The key nuance is that the crime targets an empty dwelling—the occupants are not home.

Common collocations

空(あ)き巣(す)に入(はい)られる (to be burgled)
空(あ)き巣(す)被害(ひがい) (burglary damage)
空(あ)き巣(す)対策(たいさく) (anti-burglary measures)
空(あ)き巣(す)狙(ねら)い (targeting empty houses)

Forms

空(あ)き (empty, vacant) + 巣(す) (nest, den). Literally "empty nest," referring to a home left unoccupied.

Related Words

Related: 泥棒(どろぼう) (thief, burglar)

Related: 強盗(ごうとう) (robbery, robber)

Related: 押(お)し入(い)り (breaking and entering)

general

Added 2026.3.6 18:53 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

15000/15343_akisu