der Diebstahl, /Diebstähle
theft
Wenn jemand etwas von einer anderen Person heimlich wegnimmt, ohne Erlaubnis und mit dem Plan, es zu behalten.
The German word "Diebstahl" is a compound noun made of:
- Dieb — meaning "thief"
- Stahl — related to the verb "stehlen," meaning "to steal" (note: "Stahl" alone means "steel," but in this compound it comes from "stehlen")
Diebstahl means theft or larceny — the act of stealing someone else's property.
Similar words:
- Raub — robbery (theft with force or threat)
- Einbruch — burglary (breaking into a place to steal)
- Langfinger (colloquial) — petty thief or pickpocket
Difference:
- Diebstahl is the general term for stealing without violence.
- Raub involves violence or threat.
- Einbruch emphasizes illegal entry.
- Langfinger is informal, usually for small-time theft.
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Examples
Der Diebstahl wurde schnell aufgeklärt.noun
The theft was quickly solved.
Ein Diebstahl muss sofort gemeldet werden.noun
A theft must be reported immediately.
Gestern ereignete sich ein Diebstahl im Supermarkt.noun
Yesterday a theft occurred in the supermarket.
Viele Leute sprechen über den Diebstahl im Supermarkt.noun
Many people are talking about the theft in the supermarket.
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