The Vietnamese word "kẻ cắp" is a noun that means "thief" in English. It refers to a person who steals or takes something that does not belong to them.
Usage Instructions:
You can use "kẻ cắp" to talk about someone who has stolen something, whether it's a small item or something more significant.
It's often used in conversations about crime or when discussing safety and security.
Example Sentence:
Advanced Usage:
In more advanced contexts, you might see "kẻ cắp" used in phrases or idiomatic expressions related to crime or dishonesty. For example: - "Kẻ cắp gặp bà già," which translates to "A thief meets an old woman," is an idiom that suggests someone who attempts to take advantage of others may end up in an unexpected situation.
Word Variants:
"Cắp" on its own can mean "to steal" or "to take" in a casual sense.
"Kẻ" means "person" or "individual," so together they specifically refer to a person who steals.
Different Meanings:
While "kẻ cắp" specifically refers to a thief, "cắp" can also be used in other contexts to mean "to take" in a more general sense, without the connotation of criminality.
Synonyms:
"Tên trộm" (literally "robber") is another term you might hear, which can refer to someone who steals but might imply a more serious or violent type of theft.
"Người ăn cắp" literally translates to "the person who takes" and is similar in meaning but less commonly used.