theft
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theft
The unlawful act in which someone takes someone else's property in order to keep it for themselves.
Der Diebstahl des Laptops wurde sofort der Polizei gemeldet.
The theft of the laptop was reported to the police immediately.
'Der Diebstahl' (the theft) belongs to a word family. The related verb is 'stehlen' (to steal), and the person who steals is 'der Dieb' (the thief) or 'die Diebin' (the female thief). When you learn one word, you can learn the others more easily too.
Ein Dieb hat versucht, mein Fahrrad zu stehlen, aber der Diebstahl ist misslungen.
A thief tried to steal my bicycle, but the theft failed.
'Diebstahl' (theft) is often combined with certain verbs. You can 'begehen' (commit) a theft, 'melden' (report) or 'anzeigen' (file a report for) it with the police, and the police can 'aufklären' (solve) it.
Er hat den Diebstahl seiner Brieftasche sofort gemeldet.
He reported the theft of his wallet immediately.
To say what was stolen, you often use the preposition 'von' (of/from) followed by the dative. This structure is very common in police reports and news.
Die Polizei untersucht den Diebstahl von wertvollem Schmuck.
The police are investigating the theft of valuable jewelry.
robbery
Diebstahl and Raub both refer to taking someone else’s property. Diebstahl is the general term, while Raub is especially appropriate when the taking involves violence or is particularly serious. When there is violence or a threat, Raub is therefore the more usual choice.
Der heimliche Diebstahl einer Geldbörse im Bus wurde am Abend gemeldet.
The surreptitious theft of a wallet on the bus was reported that evening.
Der gewaltsame Raub einer Geldbörse im Bus wurde am Abend gemeldet.
The violent robbery of a wallet on the bus was reported that evening.
