klauen
Translation
to steal, to pinch, to swipe
Examples
Jemand hat mein Fahrrad geklaut.
Someone has stolen my bicycle.
Er klaut Ideen von anderen Leuten.
He steals ideas from other people.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to steal sth. He stole an apple.
((sb.)) ((sth.)) to steal sth. from sb. She stole my wallet from me.
Similar Words
Synonym: stehlen (to steal); Antonym: geben (to give), zurückgeben (to return)
Etymology
From Middle High German 'klāwen' (to scratch with claws), related to the noun 'die Klaue' (claw).
Memory Tips
Picture an animal snatching something with its 'Klaue' (claw). It's a more colloquial term than 'stehlen'.