der Taschendieb
pickpocket
A person who secretly steals money or valuables from other people's pockets or clothing.
EXAMPLE
Die Polizei nahm den Taschendieb in der U-Bahn fest.
The police arrested the pickpocket on the subway.
der Taschendieb
pickpocket
der Taschendieb, die Taschendiebe
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Taschendieb, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Taschendiebe |
| genitive | des Taschendiebes |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Taschendieb | die Taschendiebe |
| accusative | den Taschendieb | die Taschendiebe |
| dative | dem Taschendieb | den Taschendieben |
| genitive | des Taschendiebes des Taschendiebs | der Taschendiebe |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word formation
'Taschendieb' (pickpocket) consists of 'Tasche' (bag or pocket), the linking element '-n-', and 'Dieb' (thief). The first part indicates where the person steals something from; the second part refers to the person.
EXAMPLE
Der Taschendieb zog unbemerkt eine Geldbörse aus ihrer Manteltasche.
The pickpocket slipped a wallet out of her coat pocket unnoticed.
Typical collocations
Common collocations include 'einen Taschendieb festnehmen' (to arrest a pickpocket) and 'einen Taschendieb auf frischer Tat ertappen' (to catch a pickpocket red-handed). The expression 'auf frischer Tat' (red-handed) means that the person is caught in the act of stealing.
EXAMPLE
Eine aufmerksame Reisende ertappte den Taschendieb auf frischer Tat.
An observant traveler caught the pickpocket red-handed.
Understanding warnings
Warnings often use 'vor Taschendieben' (about or against pickpockets), both in 'vor Taschendieben warnen' (to warn about pickpockets) and in 'sich vor Taschendieben schützen' (to protect oneself against pickpockets). In these expressions, 'vor' is followed by the dative case.
EXAMPLE
Am Bahnhof warnen Schilder vor Taschendieben.
Signs at the train station warn about pickpockets.
Mit einer gut verschlossenen Tasche kannst du dich besser vor Taschendieben schützen.
Keeping your bag securely closed can help you protect yourself against pickpockets.
In real life
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