Chinese word

小偷儿

Pronunciation

Pinyinxiǎo tōur

Meaning

  • nounthief

Example

别让小偷儿进门。bié ràng xiǎo tōur jìn mén

Don't let the thief in.

Illustration for 小偷儿 (thief)

More examples

市场里要提防小偷儿，看好自己的包。shì chǎng lǐ yào dī fáng xiǎo tōur kàn hǎo zì jǐ de bāo

In the market, beware of thieves and keep a close eye on your bag.

Core concept

A person who takes what belongs to others without permission, often quietly in public and sometimes as an outlaw.

Common phrases

  • 提防小偷儿dī fáng xiǎo tōur

    beware of thieves

  • 防范小偷儿fáng fàn xiǎo tōur

    guard against thieves

Similar words

小偷xiǎo tōu: A common term for a person who secretly steals things that belong to other people.
扒手pá shǒu: A person who quickly steals from pockets or bags in crowded places.
强盗qiáng dào: A criminal who takes money or property by force or threats.

Definition in Chinese

指在公共场所用隐蔽手法偷窃他人物品的人，常作口语称呼，含轻微贬义。zhǐ zài gōng gòng cháng suǒ yòng yǐn bì shóu fǎ tōu qiè tā rén wù pǐn de rén cháng zuò kóu yǔ chēng hū hán qīng wēi biǎn yì

Word origin

小偷儿 (xiǎotōuér, "thief") combines the noun 小偷 (xiǎotōu, "thief") with 儿化 (érhuà, "r-colored speech"), giving the word a familiar northern spoken form.

Usage tips

  • The final r-like sound is not a diminutive here, so the word does not suggest that the offender is young or physically small.

Other meanings

  • pickpocketnoun
  • banditnoun

Opposites

  • 守法公民shóu fǎ gōng mínlaw-abiding citizennoun
  • 诚实的人chéng shí de rénhonest personnoun

Related words

Word lists with this word