Definition
扒窃 is a formal verb meaning 'to pick pockets' — stealing items like wallets or phones from someone's person without their awareness. It is more specific than the general 偷 (to steal) and appears often in police reports, security announcements, and news. You can use it transitively (扒窃钱包) or intransitively (在公交车上扒窃).
v.
to pick pocketsto commit pocket-picking theft
Examples
- 扒窃。Jǐngchá zuótiān zhuā le yí ge zài gōngjiāo chē shàng pá qiè de xiǎotōu.The police caught a thief who was picking pockets on the bus yesterday.
- 扒窃。pá qiè tārén cáiwù shì wéifǎ xíngwéi.Picking others' pockets is an illegal act.
- 扒窃。Tā de qiánbāo zài shāngchǎng bèi rén pá qiè le.His wallet was pickpocketed in the mall.
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