Definitions
(verb)
to steal; to take secretly
(pronoun)
(humble) I
About
The traditional character "竊" combines the "穴" radical, implying a hidden or enclosed space, with a lower component that historically contributed to its sound and reinforced ideas of furtive action, thus encapsulating its core meanings of stealing and acting in secret. This character was simplified to "窃", which retains the "穴" radical for its semantic link to concealment but substitutes the original lower element with "切", primarily for its phonetic value. In terms of meaning, the character has consistently denoted theft or covert activity, while in classical usage it also functioned as an adverb expressing private or humble action, a sense that has persisted alongside its primary verbal meaning.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
他窃取了资料。
小偷盗窃了钱包。
她窃听了他的电话。
窃贼被警察抓住了。
他因盗窃罪被判刑。
商业间谍窃取了公司秘密。
防止数据窃取是重要任务。
他们窃取技术成果的行为可耻。