ăn cắp

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The Vietnamese word "ăn cắp" is a verb that means "to steal," "to filch," or "to pilfer." It is used to describe the act of taking someone else's property without permission, which is considered a crime.

Usage Instructions:

• "Ăn cắp" is typically used in formal and informal contexts when discussing theft or stealing.
• You can use it with various subjects, depending on who is doing the stealing.

Examples:

1. Gã lưu manh bị bắt quả tang đang ăn cắp một chiếc xe đạp.
   (The scoundrel is caught stealing a bicycle.)

2. Kẻ nghiện ma túy có thể ăn cắp vặt bất cứ lúc nào.
   (Drug addicts can pilfer at any time.)

3. Phạm tội ăn cắp có thể bị phạt tù.
   (To be guilty of theft can result in imprisonment.)

Advanced Usage:

• The phrase "thói ăn cắp vặt" refers to the habit of petty theft, often associated with kleptomania.
• A person who frequently steals small items can be described as "người hay ăn cắp vặt" (a person who often pilfers) or "người tắt mắt" (a kleptomaniac).

Word Variants:

• Ăn cắp vặt: This means "petty theft" or "small-scale stealing." It implies stealing items of little value.
• Kẻ ăn cắp: This translates to "thief" or "stealer," referring to a person who steals.

Different Meanings:

While "ăn cắp" primarily refers to stealing, in some contexts, it can also imply taking something without permission, even if it is not considered a serious crime.

Synonyms:

• Lấy cắp: Another way to say "to steal," often used interchangeably with "ăn cắp."
• Trộm: This also means "to steal" but can imply a more secretive or planned act of theft.

Academic

verb

1. To steal, to filch, to pilfer
   • gã lưu manh bị bắt quả tang đang ăn cắp một chiếc xe đạp
     the scoundrel is caught stealing a bicycle
   • kẻ nghiện ma túy có thể ăn cắp vặt bất cứ lúc nào
     drug addicts can pilfer at any time
   • phạm tội ăn cắp
     to be guilty of theft
   • thói ăn cắp vặt, thói tắt mắt
     kleptomania
   • người hay ăn cắp vặt, người tắt mắt
     kleptomaniac