盗 — “Steal / Rob / Pilfer” in Japanese

Master (高手)とう, ぬす

Radical ⽫ · radical 108 The building block this kanji is filed under

“Steal / Rob / Pilfer” in Japanese is 盗, read tou, nusu (とう, ぬす). It is a Jōyō kanji taught in Japanese secondary school (junior & senior high) — the 高手 · Master tier beyond the grade 1–6 Kyōiku set, and appears in words such as 盗難 (theft).

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What does 盗 mean?

Full details, readings & example

Kanji	盗
Meaning	Steal / Rob / Pilfer
Readings	とう, ぬす
Grade	Master (高手 · secondary school)
Curriculum	Jōyō kanji · Japanese secondary school (JLPT N1–N2)
Example	盗難 (theft)

How to read 盗

盗 is read tou (とう) or nusu (ぬす) depending on the word.

Words with 盗

盗難
窃盗
盗賊

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Kanji read the same way as 盗

Same sound, different character — the classic trap. Compare them side by side:

Updated: 2026-08-28