Definition
小偷儿 (xiǎo tōu r) is the everyday noun for a 'thief' — someone who steals, especially in public places like shops or streets. It's more common in speech than 贼 (zéi), which can sound a bit literary or old-fashioned, and it refers to a petty thief, not a violent robber like 强盗 (qiáng dào). The verb for 'to steal' is 偷 (tōu).
noun
thief
Examples
- 小偷儿，。Tā huáiyí zìjǐ de línjū shì ge xiǎo tōu r, dàn méiyǒu zhèngjù.He suspects his neighbor is a thief, but has no evidence.
- 小偷儿。Nà ge xiǎo tōu r zài shāngchǎng lǐ tōu dōngxi bèi jiānkòng pāi dào le.That thief was caught on camera stealing in the mall.
- 小偷儿。Jǐngchá tíxǐxǐng dàjiā wǎnshang chūmén shí yào xiǎoxīn xiǎo tōu r.The police remind everyone to watch out for thieves when going out at night.
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