Meaning and Usage
The word '도둑' specifically refers to a thief or burglar—someone who steals property illegally. It is a common noun used in everyday conversation and news reports.
Common Contexts
You will often hear '도둑' in contexts involving crime, security, or warnings. For example, when talking about a break-in, stolen items, or police reports.
Collocations and Patterns
- 도둑이 들다: a thief breaks in (used to describe a burglary)
- 도둑을 잡다: to catch a thief
- 도둑처럼: like a thief (used metaphorically to describe sneaky or secretive behavior)
Register and Politeness
'도둑' is neutral in formality and can be used in both casual and formal contexts. When speaking politely, you might add honorifics or use polite sentence endings, but the noun itself remains the same.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '도둑' with '강도' (robber). The difference is that '도둑' usually steals without confrontation, while '강도' implies using force or threat. Remember this distinction to use the words correctly.