盗難

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The spelling is 盗難, read とうなん, and it combines 盗, meaning steal, with 難, meaning trouble or misfortune.
• Basic usage: 盗難 means a theft in which property is stolen or the loss resulting from it.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Preventing theft and reporting it after discovery
  • Both examples use the form 盗難. Two locks are used to prevent bicycle theft, while staff are notified after a theft is noticed at an inn.
• Two bicycle locks and immediate notice to inn staff
  • 自転車の盗難を防ぐため鍵を二つ掛けた。 — I locked my bicycle with two locks to prevent theft.
  • 宿で盗難に気づき、すぐに係員へ知らせた。 — I noticed the theft at the inn and immediately notified the staff.