Korean Dictionary
How to say "Theft" in Korean
“Theft” in Korean is 절도 (pronounced "Jeoldo").
절도
Jeoldo
Usage & Context
Taking someone else's property without permission. Theft is a common crime in South Korea with varying penalties based on the value of stolen goods.
Example Sentence
절도는 범죄입니다.
Theft is a crime.
How to use 절도 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Theft” is 절도, romanized as Jeoldo.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 절도.
Pronunciation Guide
절 (jeol) sounds like 'jull' in 'jumble' but with a slightly harder 'j' and a short 'eo' vowel. 도 (do) sounds like 'doe' or 'dough.' The stress is fairly even.
More Example Sentences
Reporting a minor crime.
편의점에서 절도 사건이 발생했습니다.
A theft occurred at the convenience store.
Describing a repeat offender.
그는 상습 절도범으로 여러 번 체포되었습니다.
He has been arrested multiple times as a habitual thief.
Discussing local crime trends.
자전거 절도가 요즘 부쩍 늘었습니다.
Bicycle theft has increased significantly lately.
Cultural Context
'절도' (theft) is a common crime, but its perception in South Korea can vary. While serious theft (like grand larceny) is heavily punished, minor thefts (like shoplifting) are often met with a mix of public disapproval and sometimes pity, depending on the circumstances. There's a strong emphasis on public safety and low crime rates in Korea, so even petty theft can be a topic of local news or community concern. CCTV is ubiquitous, making theft harder to get away with.
Editorial note
We review entries like 절도 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
절도 사건
theft case
절도 혐의
suspicion of theft
절도범
thief (criminal)
Related Expressions
도둑
doduk
thief
훔치다
humchida
to steal (verb)
강도
gangdo
robbery (theft with violence/threat)
소매치기
somaechigi
pickpocketing
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