盗用(とうよう)

Composed of 盗(とう) (steal) + 用(よう) (use). Refers to using something — typically intellectual or informational — without authorization and passing it off as one's own or as legitimately acquired. Commonly applied to academic plagiarism, design/copyright infringement, and identity/information theft.

Common collocations

• 盗用(とうよう)する: to plagiarize; to use without authorization
• 盗用(とうよう)疑惑(ぎわく): suspicion of plagiarism
• 盗用(とうよう)が発覚(はっかく)する: plagiarism is uncovered
• 論文(ろんぶん)盗用(とうよう): plagiarism of a paper
• 個人(こじん)情報(じょうほう)盗用(とうよう): identity theft
• 盗用(とうよう)被害(ひがい): damage from unauthorized use

Similar words

• 剽窃(ひょうせつ): plagiarism — more literary/specialized; typically used of written work
• 不正(ふせい)使用(しよう): improper use; unauthorized use — broader; often used for unauthorized use of accounts or tools
• 模倣(もほう): imitation — not necessarily wrongful; describes copying without implying theft
• 無断(むだん)使用(しよう): unauthorized use — emphasizes lack of permission; overlaps with 盗用(とうよう) but is neutral in tone

Watch out

• 東洋(とうよう): the East; the Orient — different word, same reading
• 登用(とうよう): appointment, promotion (to a position) — different word, same reading

Usage

Frequently appears in academic misconduct cases, corporate design disputes, and news stories about cybercrime. Often pairs with verbs like 発覚(はっかく)する (to come to light) and 疑(うたが)われる (to be suspected).