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clauen

steal

Definition & meaning

Clauen is usually a nonstandard spelling of the German verb klauen. It means to steal or to take something without permission. The word is informal and can sound playful, but it still describes taking something that belongs to someone else.

It can also be used figuratively for taking or copying something, such as an idea.

Grammar & word origin

Clauen is used as a verb, but the standard spelling is klauen . It is a regular verb: ich klaue (“I steal”), ich klaute (“I stole”), ich habe geklaut (“I have stolen”).

The verb is related to Klaue , meaning “claw.” Its sense likely developed from grabbing something as if with a claw. The spelling with c is nonstandard in German.

Synonyms & antonyms

stehlen — the standard, neutral word for “to steal”; more formal than klauen.
entwenden — formal or legal-sounding, often used in reports.
mopsen — colloquial and often lighter or more playful in tone.
stibitzen — informal and usually suggests taking something small or doing so slyly.

There is no exact antonym. Depending on the context, zurückgeben [?](vocabuo://word/zurückgeben] (“to return”) or schenken (“to give as a gift”) expresses the opposite idea.