steal
N1- Onyomi
- トウ
- Kunyomi
- ぬす(む)
- Stroke count
- 11
- JLPT
- N1
Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.
Memory tip
Break 盗 down and you get 次 (next / in turn) — a mouth open in a yawn, waiting its turn beside the cold, and beside it 皿 (dish / plate) — a dish standing on the table. Picture a steaming bowl of food, put 盗 inside it, and let that scene stand for "steal" — steal. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 11
General writing tips
These general rules have exceptions. Follow the animation and numbered frames for this character.
- •上から下へ書きます。Write from top to bottom.
- •左から右へ書きます。Write from left to right.
- •横の画を先に、縦の画を後に書きます。Write horizontal strokes before the vertical strokes that cross them.
- •外側の囲みを先に書き、中を後で書きます。Draw an outer enclosure first, then fill in what is inside.
- •中央を先に、左右を後に書きます。In symmetric shapes, write the centre before the left and right sides.
- •この漢字は11画です。下の練習エリアで順番に書いてみましょう。This kanji has 11 strokes — trace them in order in the practice area below.
Step by step
Practice Writing
Free writing practice — compare your writing with the example. This canvas does not check your shape or stroke order. Draw with a mouse, finger, or pen; scroll outside the square to move down the page.
Trace the faded character, or hide the outline to practise from memory.
Writing Tips
- Follow the order strictly: top-to-bottom and left-to-right. Correct order makes the shape balanced and natural.
- Keep each stroke in one smooth motion — don't lift the pen in the middle of a stroke.
- Close enclosing strokes cleanly so the character does not look open or broken.
- Common mistake: drawing strokes bottom-to-top or right-to-left. Even if the result looks similar, the wrong order shows in handwriting and makes it harder to read.
Example words
盗用
touyou
plagiarism
盗む
nusumu
to steal
盗んで
nusunde
steal — te-form
盗みます
nusumimasu
steal — polite present
盗用した
touyoushita
plain past: did plagiarism
盗まない
nusumanai
steal — plain negative
Example sentences (5)
デザインの盗用が発覚しました。
でざいん の とうよう が はっかく しました。
dezain no touyou ga hakkaku shimashita.
The plagiarism of the design was discovered.
盗用と指摘されないよう、参考にした資料は必ず記録しています。
とうよう と してき されない よう、さんこう に した しりょう は かならず きろく しています。
touyou to shiteki sarenai you, sankou ni shita shiryou wa kanarazu kiroku shiteimasu.
So as never to be accused of plagiarism, we always record the sources we consulted.
駅で自転車を盗まれました。
えき で じてんしゃ を ぬすまれました。
eki de jitensha o nusumaremashita.
My bicycle was stolen at the station.
荷物を盗まれないように、いつも鍵をかけています。
にもつ を ぬすまれない よう に、いつも かぎ を かけています。
nimotsu o nusumarenai you ni, itsumo kagi o kaketeimasu.
I always lock up so that my belongings do not get stolen.
泥棒に自転車を盗まれました。
どろぼう に じてんしゃ を ぬすまれました。
dorobou ni jitensha o nusumaremashita.
My bicycle was stolen by a thief.