偷窃 (tōuqiè): to steal

Meanings

1 to steal
2 to pilfer
3 theft

Characters

偷

Examples

偷窃是违法行为。

Tōuqiè shì wéifǎ xíngwéi.

Stealing is an illegal act.

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

Related Words

偷走 tōuzǒu #2,835

to steal away / to steal and take away

偷 tōu HSK 5 #597

to steal / to pilfer / stealthily; secretly

盗窃 dàoqiè HSK 7 #5,380

theft / larceny / to steal

窃 qiè #6,608

to steal / to pilfer / secretly; stealthily

偷情 tōuqíng #6,387

to have an affair / to carry on a secret love affair

偷盗 tōudào #12,052

to steal / to commit theft

偷偷 tōutōu HSK 5 #3,147

stealthily / secretly / covertly

偷看 tōukàn HSK 7 #6,549

to peek / to peep / to sneak a look

窃取 qièqǔ HSK 7 #11,355

to steal / to pilfer / to usurp

偷听 tōutīng #7,268

to eavesdrop / to listen in secretly