盗 掘 者(とうくつしゃ)

とうくつしゃ

noun

tomb raider; grave robber; illegal excavator

1. tomb raider; grave robber; illegal excavator

A person who illegally digs up tombs, ancient ruins, or protected sites to steal artifacts or valuables. Also used for those who illegally collect plants or minerals from protected land.

古墳(こふん)が盗掘者(とうくつしゃ)に荒(あ)らされた。

The ancient tomb was ransacked by tomb raiders.

警察(けいさつ)は盗掘者(とうくつしゃ)グループを逮捕(たいほ)した。

The police arrested a group of tomb raiders.

遺跡(いせき)周辺(しゅうへん)では盗掘者(とうくつしゃ)を防(ふせ)ぐためにパトロールが強化(きょうか)されている。

Patrols have been stepped up around the ruins to prevent tomb raiders.

Compound of 盗掘(とうくつ) (illegal excavation; tomb robbing) + the suffix 者(しゃ) (person who does —). 盗(とう) carries the sense of "stealing," 掘(くつ) means "to dig."

Common collocations

盗掘者(とうくつしゃ)に襲(おそ)われる: to be raided by tomb robbers
盗掘者(とうくつしゃ)を捕(つか)まえる: to catch tomb robbers
盗掘者(とうくつしゃ)対策(たいさく): countermeasures against tomb robbing

Similar words

墓荒(はかあ)らし: grave robbing; grave robber — more colloquial; can refer to the act or the person
泥棒(どろぼう): thief — general word for any thief

Related Words

Compare: 泥棒(どろぼう) (thief)

general

Added 2026.6.7 13:11 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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