Definitions

dào (verb) to steal; to rob; to plunder
dào (noun) thief; bandit; robber

Etymology

Simplified form of . Depicts a gluttonous person drooling () for food inside of a dish (). The meaning later shifted to "steal", "rob", and "bandit".

About

The character "盗" originated from the concept of theft, with its traditional form "盜" structurally composed of "㳄" above "皿", where "㳄" conveyed covetousness or desire and "皿" represented a vessel, together illustrating the act of unlawfully taking desired objects. In its simplified iteration, the top component was replaced by "次", which functions phonetically while retaining an associative link to desire or secondary status. Over centuries, the core meaning of stealing physical goods remained central, but its application broadened to encompass non-material theft such as piracy or plagiarism, adapting to contexts where property could be intangible.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

贼被警察抓住了。

Dàozéi bèi jǐngchá zhuāzhù le.

The thief was caught by the police.

他因窃罪入狱。

Tā yīn dàoqiè zuì rù yù.

He was imprisoned for theft.

版软件是非法的。

Dàobǎn ruǎnjiàn shì fēifǎ de.

Pirated software is illegal.

在海上抢劫船只。

Hǎidào zài hǎishàng qiǎngjié chuánzhī.

Pirates rob ships at sea.

门能保护家庭安全。

Fángdào mén néng bǎohù jiātíng ānquán.

Anti-theft doors can protect home security.

用他人身份是严重的犯罪。

Dàoyòng tārén shēnfèn shì yánzhòng de fànzuì.

Misusing someone else's identity is a serious crime.

考古学家发现了墓的痕迹。

Kǎogǔ xuéjiā fāxiànle dàomù de hénjì.

Archaeologists found traces of tomb robbery.

网络窃案件日益增多。

Wǎngluò dàoqiè ànjiàn rìyì zēngduō.

Cyber theft cases are increasing daily.