盗まれる in 30 Sekunden
- 盗まれる (Nusumareru) is the passive form of 'to steal,' used when you or someone else has something taken illegally or without permission.
- It is primarily an 'adversative passive,' meaning it highlights the suffering or inconvenience of the person who had their belongings stolen.
- The grammatical structure typically involves the victim as the subject (marked with は/が) and the item marked with the object particle (を).
- It is used for physical objects like wallets or bikes, but also metaphorically for ideas, hearts, or digital information like passwords.
The Japanese verb 盗まれる (Nusumareru) is the passive form of the verb 盗む (Nusumu), which means 'to steal.' In Japanese grammar, the passive voice is not just a grammatical flip of a sentence; it often carries a specific nuance of 'suffering' or 'adversity,' known as the adversative passive (迷惑の受身 - meiyaku no ukemi). When you use 盗まれる, you are not simply stating an objective fact that an item was moved from one place to another without permission; you are emphasizing that the subject of the sentence has been negatively affected by this action. This is a crucial distinction for English speakers, as English often uses the passive voice to focus on the object, whereas Japanese often uses it to focus on the victim's experience of the event.
- Direct Passive
- This occurs when the object being stolen becomes the subject of the sentence. For example, 'The bicycle was stolen' (自転車が盗まれた). This is used for reporting facts, often seen in news reports or police statements where the focus is on the missing item itself rather than the person's feelings.
- Indirect (Adversative) Passive
- This is the most common way to use 盗まれる in daily conversation. The person who lost the item is the subject. 'I had my wallet stolen' (私は財布を盗まれた). In this structure, the person (subject) is marked with は or が, the item is marked with を, and the thief (if known) is marked with に. It highlights that the subject is the victim of an unfortunate event.
昨日、駅で自転車を盗まれるという災難に遭った。
In social contexts, 盗まれる is used frequently when discussing security, travel experiences, or venting about crime. Because Japan is generally considered a safe country, the use of this word often carries a heavy tone of shock or disbelief. When someone says their umbrella was stolen (傘を盗まれた), it is a common grievance during the rainy season. The word is also used metaphorically. For instance, in romantic contexts, one might say their 'heart was stolen' (心を盗まれた), though this is more literary. In professional settings, it refers to intellectual property or ideas being 'stolen' or 'plagiarized' by competitors. Understanding the weight of this verb requires recognizing that it implies a violation of personal space and trust.
大事なアイデアを同僚に盗まれるなんて信じられない。
- Register and Tone
- While '盗まれる' is a standard verb, its impact varies. In a police report, it is objective. In a casual chat with friends, it is often followed by '〜ちゃった' (nusumarechatta) to express regret or '〜てしまった' (nusumarete shimatta) for a sense of completion and sadness.
The verb root is 盗む (nusumu), which is a Godan verb. To make it passive, you change the final 'mu' to 'ma' and add 'reru'. This transformation is standard for Group 1 verbs, but the resulting 'reru' ending makes it behave like a Group 2 (Ichidan) verb for further conjugations (e.g., 盗まれました, 盗まれない).
Mastering 盗まれる involves understanding Japanese particle markers, which differ significantly from English passive structures. In English, we say 'My car was stolen.' In Japanese, you have two primary options depending on what you want to emphasize. If the car is the subject, you say '車が盗まれた' (Kuruma ga nusumareta). However, if you want to express that you are the one who suffered, you say '私は車を盗まれた' (Watashi wa kuruma o nusumareta). This 'possessor passive' is a hallmark of natural Japanese speech.
- The 'Victim' Subject Structure
- [Victim] は [Object] を [Thief] に 盗まれる. Example: 私は泥棒に財布を盗まれた (I had my wallet stolen by a thief). Here, 'に' marks the agent (the thief), and 'を' marks the object. This is the most complex but most frequent pattern for B1 learners.
- The 'Object' Subject Structure
- [Object] が 盗まれる. Example: 宝石が盗まれた (The jewels were stolen). This is used when the owner is irrelevant or obvious, or in news reporting.
旅行中にカバンを盗まれないように気をつけてください。
When conjugating 盗まれる, remember it follows the Ichidan (ru-verb) pattern. For negative forms, use 盗まれない (won't be stolen). For the polite past, use 盗まれました. If you want to say 'it might be stolen,' you would use 盗まれるかもしれません. A common mistake for English speakers is to use the possessive 'no' (私の財布が盗まれた), which is grammatically correct but often sounds less natural than the adversative passive (財布を盗まれた) when the context implies the speaker's misfortune.
誰かに名前を盗まれるというSFのような展開だ。
In formal documents or news, you might encounter the causative-passive form, though it is rare for this specific verb. Instead, focus on the potential form of the passive: 盗まれうる (can be stolen). In conversational Japanese, the 'te-form' is often used to link the theft to a result: 財布を盗まれて、電車に乗れなかった (My wallet was stolen, so I couldn't get on the train). This structure naturally explains the cause-and-effect of the misfortune.
- Common Tense Variations
- 1. 盗まれている (is being stolen / has been stolen and is currently gone). 2. 盗まれそうだ (looks like it's about to be stolen). 3. 盗まれはしない (definitely won't be stolen).
The context in which you hear 盗まれる ranges from the mundane to the dramatic. In daily life in Japan, one of the most frequent places you will hear this word is at a Koban (police box). Victims of petty crime, such as bicycle theft or umbrella theft, will use this verb to report their loss. A typical phrase would be '自転車を盗まれたのですが...' (My bike was stolen, and...). The police officer will then ask for details using the same verb: 'いつ盗まれましたか？' (When was it stolen?).
コンビニの前に置いておいた傘が盗まれた。
Another common environment is the news. News anchors use the passive form to describe burglaries (空き巣被害) or high-profile robberies. '一億円相当のダイヤが盗まれました' (Diamonds worth 100 million yen were stolen). In these contexts, the tone is formal and objective, using the desu/masu style. You will also see it in warning signs at tourist spots or crowded trains: '貴重品を盗まれないように注意してください' (Please be careful not to have your valuables stolen). These signs are ubiquitous in major cities like Tokyo and Osaka, especially in areas frequented by tourists.
In Japanese pop culture—anime, manga, and movies—the word is often used in high-stakes plots. Think of a 'phantom thief' (怪盗 - kaitou) like Lupin III or Detective Conan's Kaito Kid. Characters will shout 'お宝が盗まれた！' (The treasure has been stolen!). In romantic shojo manga, a character might dramatically say '彼に心を盗まれた' (My heart was stolen by him), which is a cliché but well-understood use of the verb to describe falling deeply in love. This metaphorical use emphasizes the lack of control the subject has over their emotions.
パスワードを盗まれると、全てのデータにアクセスされてしまう。
- Workplace Usage
- In a corporate setting, '盗まれる' is used regarding trade secrets (企業秘密) or customer data. '顧客情報が盗まれる事態を防がなければならない' (We must prevent the situation where customer information is stolen).
One of the most frequent errors English speakers make with 盗まれる is applying English grammar logic to Japanese particle usage. In English, we say 'My wallet was stolen,' where 'wallet' is the subject. If you translate this literally as '私の財布は盗まれた,' it is correct but often feels 'flat' or 'detached' in Japanese. Native speakers prefer the adversative passive: '私は財布を盗まれた.' The mistake is using 'は' for the object when the speaker is the one who suffered the loss.
- Particle Confusion (に vs から)
- Learners often struggle with marking the thief. While 'から' (from) makes sense in English ('It was stolen from a thief' - wait, no, 'by a thief'), in Japanese passive sentences, the agent is almost always marked with 'に'. Using 'から' can sometimes imply the object was physically taken from your person, but 'に' is the standard for the passive agent.
- Active vs. Passive Mix-ups
- Confusing 盗む (to steal) and 盗まれる (to be stolen) is common. For example, saying '泥棒が盗まれた' (The thief was stolen) instead of '泥棒に盗まれた' (Stolen by the thief). Always double-check who is performing the action and who is the victim.
❌ 泥棒が私のカバンを盗まれました。
✅ 泥棒に私のカバンを盗まれました。
Another mistake involves the 'potential' vs 'passive' forms. For Godan verbs like 盗む, the passive is 盗まれる and the potential is 盗める (can steal). Learners sometimes mix these up, saying '盗まれた' when they mean 'could steal.' Additionally, for Ichidan verbs, the passive and potential forms often look identical (e.g., 食べられる), but for 盗む, they are distinct. Make sure to distinguish the 'a-dan' + 'reru' (passive) from the 'e-dan' + 'ru' (potential).
❌ 財布がどこかへ盗まれた。
✅ 財布をどこかでなくした。
Finally, watch out for the 'double passive' or unnecessary complexity. Sometimes learners try to combine '盗まれる' with 'てしまう' to say 'unfortunately was stolen' as '盗まれちゃった'. While this is common and correct in speech, in formal writing, '盗まれました' is sufficient. Overusing emotional endings in a police report might make the statement less clear.
While 盗まれる is the most direct way to say 'to be stolen,' Japanese offers several alternatives depending on the level of force, the context, or the specific item taken. Understanding these nuances will make your Japanese sound much more natural and precise.
- 取られる (Torareru)
- The passive of 取る (to take). This is a broader, softer term. It can mean 'to be taken,' 'to be stolen,' or even 'to have a point taken away' in a game. It is less 'criminal' than 盗まれる. If someone takes your seat or your time, you use 取られる, not 盗まれる.
- 奪われる (Ubawareru)
- The passive of 奪う (to snatch/rob). This implies force, violence, or a grand scale. It is used for things like 'having one's life taken' (命を奪われる) or 'having one's freedom taken' (自由を奪われる). It is much more dramatic and serious than 盗まれる.
- 掠め取られる (Kasumetorareru)
- A more literary or specific term meaning to be 'filched' or 'cheated out of' something. It implies a sneaky, crafty theft, often involving deception rather than just picking a pocket.
彼は一瞬の隙にバッグを持ち去られた。
In legal contexts, you might hear 窃取される (Sesshu sareru), which is the formal/technical term for 'to be stolen' (larceny). This is used in courtrooms or insurance documents. On the other hand, in very casual slang, young people might use パクられる (Pakurareru). This is a versatile slang term that can mean 'to be stolen' (especially ideas or designs) or 'to be busted/arrested' by the police. Use パクられる with caution as it is quite informal.
そのデザインは他社にパクられた可能性がある。
- Contextual Choice
- 1. 傘を盗まれた (My umbrella was stolen - specific theft). 2. 傘を間違えて持っていかれた (My umbrella was taken by mistake - not theft). 3. 傘を取られた (My umbrella was taken - general).
How Formal Is It?
Wusstest du?
The character '盗' (tō/nusumu) consists of '次' (next/second) and '皿' (dish). Originally, it depicted a person drooling over a dish, signifying desire and the intent to take it.
Aussprachehilfe
- Pronouncing 're' like an English 'ray'. It should be a tapped 'r' similar to the 'd' in 'ladder'.
- Putting stress on the 'ma' syllable.
- Failing to pronounce the final 'u' clearly.
- Confusing 'nu' with 'no'.
- Merging the 're' and 'ru' into a single sound.
Schwierigkeitsgrad
The kanji 盗 is common but can be confused with similar ones. The passive conjugation is a mid-level grammar point.
Writing the kanji '盗' correctly requires attention to the 'dish' radical.
Applying the adversative passive particles (wa/o/ni) correctly in real-time is challenging for B1 learners.
Easily recognized in context, though the 're' and 'ru' endings can blur in fast speech.
Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest
Voraussetzungen
Als Nächstes lernen
Fortgeschritten
Wichtige Grammatik
Adversative Passive (迷惑の受身)
雨に降られた (I was rained on / It rained on me - a misfortune).
Indirect Passive with 'o' particle
弟にケーキを食べられた (I had my cake eaten by my brother).
Passive of Godan Verbs
書く → 書かれる (kaku -> kakareru).
Compound Verb Passive
持ち去る → 持ち去られる (mochisaru -> mochisarareru).
Relative Clauses with Passive Verbs
盗まれた財布が見つかった (The stolen wallet was found).
Beispiele nach Niveau
かばんが盗まれました。
The bag was stolen.
Simple passive: [Object] が [Verb-passive].
自転車が盗まれました。
The bicycle was stolen.
Focus on the object being gone.
傘が盗まれました。
The umbrella was stolen.
Common everyday misfortune in Japan.
お金が盗まれました。
Money was stolen.
Direct passive statement.
ペンが盗まれました。
The pen was stolen.
Simple subject-verb agreement.
靴が盗まれました。
The shoes were stolen.
Often used in contexts like school or temples.
時計が盗まれました。
The watch was stolen.
Basic identification of the stolen item.
本が盗まれました。
The book was stolen.
Simple report of theft.
駅で財布を盗まれました。
I had my wallet stolen at the station.
Introduction of the 'victim' subject (implied 'I').
誰かに自転車を盗まれた。
My bicycle was stolen by someone.
Using 'dareka ni' to indicate an unknown agent.
盗まれないように気をつけてください。
Please be careful so it doesn't get stolen.
Negative passive + 'yō ni' (in order not to).
昨日、傘を盗まれました。
Yesterday, I had my umbrella stolen.
Past tense of the passive verb.
旅行でカメラを盗まれた。
I had my camera stolen on my trip.
Contextualizing the theft with a location/event.
泥棒にバッグを盗まれた。
A thief stole my bag (I had my bag stolen by a thief).
Agent 'ni' (by) + Object 'o' + Passive verb.
大切なものを盗まれて悲しいです。
I'm sad because something important was stolen.
Te-form used to show cause and effect.
この町では自転車が盗まれやすいです。
Bicycles are easily stolen in this town.
Passive verb stem + 'yasui' (easy to).
混んでいる電車の中で財布を盗まれた。
I had my wallet stolen inside a crowded train.
Combining circumstantial descriptions with the passive.
鍵をかけなかったから、自転車を盗まれたんだ。
Since I didn't lock it, my bike got stolen.
Using 'kara' to explain the reason for the theft.
パスポートを盗まれて、大使館へ行きました。
My passport was stolen, so I went to the embassy.
Sequential actions following a misfortune.
もし盗まれたら、すぐに警察に連絡してください。
If it gets stolen, please contact the police immediately.
Conditional 'tara' form.
彼は泥棒に家の鍵を盗まれたそうだ。
I heard that he had his house keys stolen by a thief.
Reporting hearsay with 'sō da'.
二度と盗まれないように、新しい鍵を買った。
I bought a new lock so it wouldn't be stolen again.
Negative passive + 'yō ni' for purpose.
盗まれた物は、まだ見つかっていません。
The stolen items have not been found yet.
Passive verb used as an adjective (relative clause).
不注意でスマホを盗まれてしまった。
Due to carelessness, I ended up having my smartphone stolen.
Passive + 'te shimau' (regret/unintentionality).
その有名な絵画が美術館から盗まれたというニュースが流れた。
News spread that the famous painting was stolen from the museum.
Passive verb in a noun clause modifying 'news'.
自分のアイデアを他人に盗まれるのは、耐えがたい屈辱だ。
Having one's ideas stolen by others is an unbearable humiliation.
Abstract usage of theft (ideas).
顧客データが盗まれるリスクを最小限に抑える必要がある。
It is necessary to minimize the risk of customer data being stolen.
Professional context (data security).
彼は誰にも盗まれない場所に宝物を隠した。
He hid the treasure in a place where no one could steal it.
Passive in a relative clause.
そんなところに置いておくと、盗まれるに決まっている。
If you leave it in a place like that, it's bound to be stolen.
Using 'ni kimatte iru' (bound to/certainly).
不法に盗まれた文化財の返還を求めている。
They are demanding the return of illegally stolen cultural properties.
Formal/Legal context.
パスワードを盗まれる被害が急増している。
Damage from stolen passwords is rapidly increasing.
Passive as part of a compound noun phrase.
愛用していたギターを盗まれて、彼はひどく落ち込んでいる。
Having had his favorite guitar stolen, he is very depressed.
Passive 'te-form' as a reason for emotional state.
彼の独創的な研究成果が、不当に盗まれた疑いがある。
There are suspicions that his original research results were stolen unfairly.
Formal academic/ethical context.
情報の断片を盗まれるだけでも、大きな損失につながりかねない。
Even just having fragments of information stolen could lead to a significant loss.
Using 'kaneyanai' (might happen/danger of).
国家機密が盗まれるという事態は、安全保障上の重大な脅威だ。
The situation where state secrets are stolen is a major threat to national security.
High-level political discourse.
一瞬の油断によって、長年の努力が盗まれることもある。
Due to a moment's negligence, years of effort can sometimes be stolen.
Metaphorical use of 'effort' as the stolen object.
知的財産が海外に盗まれるのを防ぐための法整備が進んでいる。
Legislation is progressing to prevent intellectual property from being stolen overseas.
Complex sentence with nominalized passive clause.
心の隙を盗まれるかのように、彼は詐欺師の言葉を信じてしまった。
As if having the gap in his heart stolen, he ended up believing the swindler's words.
Literary/Metaphorical usage.
歴史の闇に葬られ、真実が盗まれたままになっている事件も多い。
There are many incidents buried in the darkness of history where the truth remains stolen.
Poetic/Abstract usage of 'truth' being stolen.
権力者によって自由が盗まれる過程を、その小説は克明に描いている。
The novel vividly depicts the process by which freedom is stolen by those in power.
Literary analysis context.
個人のアイデンティティがデジタル空間で盗まれるという現代的恐怖。
The modern horror of one's personal identity being stolen in digital space.
Abstract philosophical/sociological context.
衆人環視の中で白昼堂々、宝石が盗まれるという大胆不敵な犯行。
A bold crime where jewels were stolen in broad daylight in front of many onlookers.
Sophisticated descriptive language (yojijukugo-like phrases).
伝統技術が他国に盗まれることへの危機感が、職人たちの間で高まっている。
A sense of crisis regarding traditional techniques being stolen by other countries is rising among craftsmen.
Nominalized clause as a subject of 'rising'.
言葉そのものが盗まれるような、沈黙を強いる独裁政権の恐怖。
The fear of a dictatorial regime that forces silence, as if the words themselves are being stolen.
Highly metaphorical/political usage.
遺伝子情報が盗まれるというバイオエシックス上の論争が絶えない。
Bioethical controversies regarding the theft of genetic information are constant.
Technical/Scientific/Ethical discourse.
彼は、自分の人生そのものが時間に盗まれるかのような焦燥感に駆られた。
He was driven by a sense of frustration, as if his life itself was being stolen by time.
Existential metaphorical usage.
著作権を盗まれることの法的解釈は、国によって大きく異なる。
The legal interpretation of having copyright stolen varies greatly by country.
Comparative legal context.
神話において、火が神々から盗まれるというモチーフは世界中に見られる。
The motif of fire being stolen from the gods in mythology is found throughout the world.
Mythological/Historical analysis.
Häufige Kollokationen
Häufige Phrasen
— It was stolen! (A sudden realization of theft).
あっ、かばんが盗まれた！
— So that it doesn't get stolen (used for advice/caution).
盗まれないように鍵をかけましょう。
— Unfortunately got stolen (casual and expresses regret).
お気に入りの傘、盗まれちゃった。
— Worry about being stolen.
ここでは盗まれる心配はありません。
— Signs of being stolen.
何かが盗まれた形跡はない。
— Possibility of being stolen.
盗まれる可能性が高い場所だ。
— Damage/victimization from theft.
盗まれる被害が相次いでいる。
— Things that are easy to steal.
自転車は盗まれやすい物の一つだ。
— Stolen by someone.
誰かに盗まれたに違いない。
— Pretending something was stolen.
盗まれたフリをして保険金を請求する。
Wird oft verwechselt mit
Nakusu means to lose something by your own mistake; nusumareru means someone took it.
Torareru is more general and less accusatory than nusumareru.
Ubawareru implies force or a robbery/mugging, whereas nusumareru can be a stealthy theft.
Redewendungen & Ausdrücke
— To have one's heart stolen; to be completely captivated or charmed by someone.
彼の歌声に心を盗まれた。
Literary/Romantic— Usually seen as '人の目を盗む' (to steal someone's eyes), it means to do something secretly when others aren't looking.
監視の目を盗んで逃げ出した。
General— To have one's time taken away by something trivial or someone else's demands.
スマホに時間を盗まれている。
General— To have one's specialty or 'trade' outdone or taken over by someone else.
新人に得意料理のお株を盗まれた。
Casual— To have one's soul stolen (often used in folklore or regarding photography in the past).
写真を撮ると魂を盗まれると信じられていた。
Folklore— To be kissed unexpectedly (literary/old-fashioned).
不意に唇を盗まれた。
Literary— To have one's intellectual property or creative thoughts plagiarized.
特許を取る前にアイデアを盗まれた。
Business— To have one's identity or name taken (often in fantasy contexts).
魔女に名前を盗まれてしまった。
Fantasy— To be exploited or have wealth taken away by systemic issues.
重税によって富を盗まれる。
Political— To have one's shadow stolen (mythological motif).
影を盗まれると死ぬという言い伝えがある。
FolkloreLeicht verwechselbar
Active vs. Passive.
Nusumu is 'to steal' (the thief's action); nusumareru is 'to be stolen' (the victim's experience).
彼は財布を盗んだ (He stole the wallet) vs 彼は財布を盗まれた (He had his wallet stolen).
Passive vs. Potential.
Nusumareru is passive; nusumeru is 'can steal'. They look similar because they both end in 'eru'.
盗まれる (be stolen) vs 盗める (can steal).
Verb vs. Noun.
Nusumi is the noun 'theft'; nusumareru is the verb 'to be stolen'.
盗みをする (to do a theft) vs 盗まれる (to be stolen).
Specific type of theft.
Manbiki is specifically shoplifting. Nusumareru is the general passive for any theft.
店の商品が盗まれた (The store's goods were stolen).
Method of theft.
Suri is pickpocketing. You would say 'スリに財布を盗まれた' (I had my wallet stolen by a pickpocket).
スリに遭う (to encounter a pickpocket).
Satzmuster
[Object] が 盗まれた。
自転車が盗まれた。
[Victim] は [Object] を 盗まれた。
私は財布を盗まれた。
[Object] を 盗まれないように [Action]。
カバンを盗まれないように持ってください。
[Victim] は [Thief] に [Object] を 盗まれた。
田中さんは泥棒に時計を盗まれた。
[Object] が 盗まれるという [Noun]。
宝石が盗まれるという事件が起きた。
[Abstract] を 盗まれる。
彼は若さを時間に盗まれた。
[Object] が 盗まれた疑いがある。
機密文書が盗まれた疑いがある。
[Object] が 盗まれるがままにする。
彼は財産が盗まれるがままにしていた。
Wortfamilie
Substantive
Verben
Adjektive
Verwandt
So verwendest du es
High (especially in urban areas or travel contexts).
-
私の財布は盗まれた。
→
私は財布を盗まれた。
While the first is grammatically possible, the second is the natural 'adversative passive' that focuses on the victim's experience.
-
泥棒が私のバッグを盗まれました。
→
泥棒に私のバッグを盗まれました。
Using 'ga' for the thief makes the thief the victim. Use 'ni' to mark the person who did the stealing in a passive sentence.
-
財布を盗めました。
→
財布を盗まれました。
Confusing the potential form (can steal) with the passive form (was stolen).
-
どこかで財布を盗まれた。
→
どこかで財布をなくした。
Using 'stolen' when you simply lost the item. Only use '盗まれた' if you are sure someone took it.
-
財布は泥棒から盗まれた。
→
財布は泥棒に盗まれた。
Using 'kara' (from) instead of 'ni' (by) for the agent of the passive action. 'Ni' is the standard particle.
Tipps
The Victim Subject
Always remember that in Japanese, the person who suffered the loss is usually the subject of the passive sentence. Use '私は財布を盗まれた' instead of '私の財布が盗まれた' for a more natural, empathetic tone.
Choosing the Right Word
If you just lost something and aren't sure if it was stolen, use 'なくした' (lost). If you use '盗まれた', you are making a specific accusation that a crime occurred.
Umbrella Etiquette
In Japan, umbrella theft is surprisingly common. If your umbrella is missing from a stand, '盗まれた' is the correct term to use when venting to friends.
The Tapped R
The 're' and 'ru' in 'nusumareru' are not like English 'r' sounds. They are quick taps with the tongue against the roof of the mouth, similar to a soft 'd'.
Reporting to Police
When reporting to the police, use '盗まれました' (polite). Avoid slang like 'パクられた' as it may sound disrespectful or less serious.
New Suit Misery
Think: 'My **New Su**-it is **mare**-d (ruined)'. Nusumareru. This helps connect the sound to the feeling of a ruined day.
Kanji Breakdown
The kanji 盗 has '皿' (dish) at the bottom. Imagine someone stealing a dish from a table to remember how to write it.
Metaphorical Theft
Don't be afraid to use '盗まれる' for abstract things like 'time' or 'ideas'. It's a very versatile verb in both literal and figurative senses.
Passive Suffix
Train your ears to hear the 'reru' suffix. It's the key indicator that the sentence is passive and someone is experiencing the action.
Active vs Passive
Regularly practice switching between '盗む' (I steal) and '盗まれる' (I am stolen from) to ensure you don't confuse the two roles.
Einprägen
Eselsbrücke
Imagine a **NEW SUIT** (Nusu) that you just bought. You feel great, but then you are **MARRED** (mare) by the fact that it was stolen. **NEW-SU-MARE-RU**.
Visuelle Assoziation
Visualize a bicycle with a broken lock and a sad person standing next to it. The empty space where the bike was is the 'nusumareru' zone.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Try to write three sentences about things you are afraid of having stolen, using '盗まれる' in the negative potential form '盗まれないように'.
Wortherkunft
The root verb 'nusumu' dates back to Old Japanese. It is believed to be related to the word 'nusu' (secret/private).
Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To take something secretly or privately without the owner's knowledge.
JaponicKultureller Kontext
Be careful when using this word to accuse someone directly. Using '盗まれた' without proof is a serious legal and social accusation in Japan.
In English, 'I was robbed' and 'My stuff was stolen' are used interchangeably. In Japanese, '盗まれる' is specifically for the items, while '強盗に遭う' (gōtō ni au) is for being robbed by a person.
Im Alltag üben
Kontexte aus dem Alltag
At the Police Box (Koban)
- 自転車を盗まれました。
- どこで盗まれましたか？
- いつ盗まれたか分かりません。
- 盗まれた物のリストです。
Traveling Abroad
- スリに財布を盗まれた。
- 荷物を盗まれないように気をつける。
- パスポートを盗まれたらどうすればいい？
- ホテルの部屋でカメラを盗まれた。
Office / Workplace
- 社外秘の情報が盗まれた。
- アイデアを同僚に盗まれた。
- パソコンを盗まれるリスクがある。
- USBメモリを盗まれた。
Internet Security
- アカウントを盗まれた。
- 個人情報が盗まれる被害。
- パスワードを盗まれないための対策。
- クレジットカード番号を盗まれた。
Daily Life (Complaining)
- また傘を盗まれたよ。
- 盗まれたのはこれで三回目だ。
- 誰に盗まれたんだろう。
- 盗まれるなんて運が悪い。
Gesprächseinstiege
"日本で何かを盗まれたことはありますか？ (Have you ever had anything stolen in Japan?)"
"傘を盗まれないために、どんな工夫をしていますか？ (What do you do to prevent your umbrella from being stolen?)"
"もし財布を盗まれたら、まず何をしますか？ (If you had your wallet stolen, what would you do first?)"
"自転車を盗まれた経験はありますか？ (Do you have experience having a bicycle stolen?)"
"他人にアイデアを盗まれることについてどう思いますか？ (How do you feel about having your ideas stolen by others?)"
Tagebuch-Impulse
昨日、駅で誰かに傘を盗まれてしまった時の気持ちを書いてください。 (Write about how you felt when someone stole your umbrella at the station yesterday.)
盗まれないように大切にしている宝物について説明してください。 (Explain a treasure you keep carefully so it won't be stolen.)
もし自分が泥棒で、誰かの心を盗むとしたら、どうやって盗みますか？ (If you were a thief and were to steal someone's heart, how would you do it?)
デジタル社会で情報を盗まれるリスクについて、あなたの考えを述べてください。 (State your thoughts on the risk of information being stolen in a digital society.)
『盗まれる』という言葉を使った短い物語を作ってください。 (Create a short story using the word 'nusumareru'.)
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes, '盗まれる' almost always implies an illegal or unauthorized act of taking someone else's property. If it was taken by mistake, you should use '間違えて持っていかれた' instead.
Yes, it is very common to say '写真を盗まれた' when someone uses your photos without permission online, though '無断転載された' is more specific.
'財布が盗まれた' focuses on the wallet. '財布を盗まれた' (usually with '私は') focuses on the person who suffered. The latter is more common in conversation.
While '盗まれる' can be used, '奪われる' (ubawareru) or '強盗に遭う' (gōtō ni au) are more common for forceful robberies.
It is '盗まれなかった' (polite: 盗まれませんでした), meaning 'was not stolen'.
Yes, 'アイデアを盗まれる' is a very common expression in business and creative fields.
Use the particle 'に'. For example, '泥棒に盗まれた' (stolen by a thief).
You can say '盗難に遭いました' (tōnan ni aimashita), which literally means 'I encountered a theft incident'.
Yes, if you believe someone intentionally took it, you can say '置き忘れを盗まれた'.
Yes, in the phrase '心を盗まれる' (to have one's heart stolen), although it sounds a bit like a cliché manga line.
Teste dich selbst 180 Fragen
Translate to Japanese: 'My umbrella was stolen yesterday.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a sentence using '盗まれてしまった'.
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Say 'My wallet was stolen' politely.
Read this aloud:
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Listen and identify the verb: [Audio: nusumareta]
Translate: 'It is easy for bicycles to be stolen here.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a sentence about having your password stolen.
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Translate: 'I am worried that my car might be stolen.'
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Translate: 'Please do not let your heart be stolen.'
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Write a sentence about a famous painting being stolen.
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Translate: 'I had my identity stolen online.'
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Translate: 'If your bike is stolen, call the police.'
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Translate: 'My data was stolen by a hacker.'
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Write a sentence using '盗まれるリスク'.
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Translate: 'I had my shoes stolen at the temple entrance.'
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Translate: 'All the money in the safe was stolen.'
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Translate: 'I don't want to have my bike stolen again.'
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Translate: 'Many things were stolen from the house.'
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Translate: 'The stolen car was found in the next town.'
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Write a sentence about having your luggage stolen at the airport.
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Translate: 'I had my idea stolen by a colleague.'
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Translate: 'The stolen diamonds were worth millions.'
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Translate: 'Having my time stolen by unproductive meetings is annoying.'
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Translate: 'I am afraid of my personal information being stolen.'
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Translate: 'My favorite pen was stolen by someone.'
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Translate: 'I had my shoes stolen at the gym.'
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Translate: 'The stolen painting was a masterpiece.'
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Translate: 'I had my credit card stolen on the train.'
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Translate: 'I had my umbrella stolen, so I got wet.'
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Write a sentence using '盗まれる心配'.
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Translate: 'I had my lunch stolen by a crow.'
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Translate: 'I'm afraid my heart will be stolen by him.'
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Translate: 'The ideas stolen from the company were top secret.'
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Translate: 'I was surprised that my umbrella was stolen.'
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Translate: 'His pride was stolen by the defeat.'
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Translate: 'The stolen data was leaked to the public.'
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/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The word 盗まれる is more than just 'to be stolen'; it is the standard way to express the personal misfortune of theft. Remember the 'Victim は Item を Thief に 盗まれる' pattern to sound natural in Japanese.
- 盗まれる (Nusumareru) is the passive form of 'to steal,' used when you or someone else has something taken illegally or without permission.
- It is primarily an 'adversative passive,' meaning it highlights the suffering or inconvenience of the person who had their belongings stolen.
- The grammatical structure typically involves the victim as the subject (marked with は/が) and the item marked with the object particle (を).
- It is used for physical objects like wallets or bikes, but also metaphorically for ideas, hearts, or digital information like passwords.
The Victim Subject
Always remember that in Japanese, the person who suffered the loss is usually the subject of the passive sentence. Use '私は財布を盗まれた' instead of '私の財布が盗まれた' for a more natural, empathetic tone.
Choosing the Right Word
If you just lost something and aren't sure if it was stolen, use 'なくした' (lost). If you use '盗まれた', you are making a specific accusation that a crime occurred.
Umbrella Etiquette
In Japan, umbrella theft is surprisingly common. If your umbrella is missing from a stand, '盗まれた' is the correct term to use when venting to friends.
The Tapped R
The 're' and 'ru' in 'nusumareru' are not like English 'r' sounds. They are quick taps with the tongue against the roof of the mouth, similar to a soft 'd'.
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