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The traditional character 賊 is composed of the semantic component 貝, representing valuables or wealth, and the phonetic and semantic component 戎, associated with weapons or military force, indicating an original concept of using force to damage or seize property. Etymologically, in early Chinese texts, 賊 primarily denoted acts of harm, destruction, or even treason, rather than specifically theft. Over centuries, its meaning shifted towards designating a person who commits theft or robbery, aligning with the implied violence of its structural components. This evolution resulted in the modern primary sense of "thief", while secondary meanings, such as "crafty" or as an intensifier in colloquial speech, also emerged from this core concept.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
警察抓住了那个贼。
这个贼很狡猾。
昨晚有一个贼进了我家。
盗贼偷走了她的钱包。
这苹果贼甜。
今天的天气贼好。
那个贼悄悄地溜进了房间。
虽然那个贼被抓了，但他不肯承认偷了东西。