klauen
to steal
To steal something of little value or in a casual way. The word is used colloquially.
EXAMPLE
Jemand hat mir im Café den Schal geklaut.
Someone stole my scarf at the café.
klauen
to steal / claw
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Meanings
klauen
to claw
To scratch or grab with claws. This meaning refers to animals and is rarely used.
EXAMPLE
Die Katze klaute nach dem Wollknäuel.
The cat clawed at the ball of wool.
Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'klauen' (to steal / to claw) is closely related to the noun 'die Klaue' (an animal's claw). The colloquial meaning 'stehlen' (to steal) derives from the idea of quickly grabbing something with the fingers as if with claws.
EXAMPLE
Der Rabe hat das glänzende Schmuckstück vom Tisch geklaut.
The raven stole the shiny piece of jewelry from the table.
Register: colloquial language
This meaning of 'klauen' (to steal) is colloquial. In formal or written contexts, such as a police report, you should use the neutral verb 'stehlen' (to steal).
EXAMPLE
Wer hat denn die Kekse aus der Dose geklaut?
Who stole the cookies from the tin?
Sentence structure with dative
If you want to indicate from whom something was stolen, use the structure: 'jemandem (Dativ) etwas (Akkusativ) klauen' (to steal something from someone).
EXAMPLE
Ein Dieb hat meiner Freundin die Handtasche geklaut.
A thief stole my friend's handbag.
Context clue: animals
The rarer meaning 'kratzen' (to scratch) or 'greifen' (to grab) is used almost exclusively for animals with claws. You can recognize it from the context and often from the preposition 'nach' (at/for).
EXAMPLE
Der Falke klaute nach seiner Beute.
The falcon clawed at its prey.
Compare with
klauen vs stehlen
to steal
Both „stehlen“ and „klauen“ can describe taking something unlawfully. „Stehlen“ is the neutral standard-language form, while „klauen“ sounds colloquial and is often used for smaller or casually taken items. „Stehlen“ is suitable in factual texts, while „klauen“ is often used in casual conversation.
klauen
Lea erzählt ihren Freunden, dass ihr jemand das Fahrrad geklaut hat.
Lea tells her friends that someone stole her bicycle.
stehlen
Im Polizeibericht steht, dass jemand Leas Fahrrad gestohlen hat.
The police report says that someone stole Lea's bicycle.
In real life
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