偷窃

偷竊

tōuqiè

verb #5,868

Meanings

1 to steal
2 to pilfer
3 theft

Characters

to steal; to pilfer

to steal; secretly

Examples

HSK 5

偷窃是违法行为。

Tōuqiè shì wéifǎ xíngwéi.

Stealing is an illegal act.

HSK 6

他因偷窃被抓了。

Tā yīn tōuqiè bèi zhuā le.

He was caught for stealing.

Tips

usage

偷窃 is more formal than 偷 alone. 偷 is used in everyday speech, while 偷窃 appears in legal or news contexts. Compare: 他偷了我的钱 (casual) vs. 偷窃罪 (theft crime, formal).

Stroke Order

偷 tōu

窃 qiè