German word

klauen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈklaʊ̯ən/

Meaning

  • verbsteal

Example

Er klaut immer im Supermarkt.

He always steals things at the supermarket.

Illustration for klauen (steal)

More examples

Er klaut ihm das Handy aus der Hosentasche.

He steals the phone from the man, taking it out of his trouser pocket.

Core concept

A hand makes a quick grab and slips away with a small item.

Common phrases

  • aus der Hosentasche klauen

    steal from the pocket of a pair of trousers

  • dem Kollegen eine Idee klauen

    steal a colleague's idea

  • im Laden Süßigkeiten klauen

    steal sweets in the shop

Similar words

stehlen: To steal something without permission, as a general or formal term.
rauben: To seize property or money through force or threats.
mopsen: To casually sneak away with something that is not yours.
stibitzen: To sneakily take a small object, usually in a lighthearted way.

Definition in German

Umgangssprachliches Verb für stehlen; meist für kleinere, schnell entwendete Dinge verwendet.

Word origin

Klauen continues Middle High German klouwen and remains a colloquial counterpart to standard German stehlen.

Usage tips

  • Klauen is colloquial, while neutral or formal writing usually uses stehlen instead.

Other meanings

  • pilferverb
  • swipeverb

Opposites

Related words

  • der Klautheftnoun
  • verklauensteal from someoneverb

Word lists with this word