ひったくり

ひったくり
noun
purse snatching; snatch theft
1. purse snatching; bag snatching; snatch theft
The crime of grabbing someone's bag or belongings and running away, typically committed on the street. Also refers to the person who commits this crime.
ひったくりに()った。
I was the victim of a purse snatching.
バイクに()ったひったくりに(かばん)(うば)われた。
A snatch thief on a motorcycle grabbed my bag.
この地域(ちいき)ではひったくりが多発(たはつ)しているので、(かばん)車道(しゃどう)反対側(はんたいがわ)()つようにしてください。
Snatch thefts are frequent in this area, so please carry your bag on the side away from the road.

USAGE:
Can refer to both the crime itself and the person committing it. Derived from the verb ひったくる (to snatch away). A common street crime in urban areas, often committed by someone on a bicycle or motorcycle targeting pedestrians.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • ひったくりに()う (to be a victim of snatching)
  • ひったくり被害(ひがい) (snatch theft damage/victimization)
  • ひったくり(はん) (snatch thief — refers specifically to the criminal)
  • ひったくり防止(ぼうし) (snatch theft prevention)

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • スリ: pickpocketing — stealthily taking items from pockets or bags without the victim noticing
  • ()()き: theft of unattended belongings — taking bags or items left momentarily