noun
thief
B1
Dieb (der) means 'thief'. Primary meaning is a person who steals. Masculine noun with plural Diebe and genitive des Diebes. Female form is Diebin; Spanish translations include ladrón/ladrona. Regular declension pattern. Use with articles (der Dieb, die Diebe). Common in legal and everyday contexts. Also used in idioms and compounds.
Examples
Der Dieb wurde gestern nachts geschnappt.
The thief was caught last night.
Die Polizei verhörte den Verdächtigen, weil ein Dieb in der Nähe gesehen wurde, doch der Zeuge konnte das Gesicht nicht genau beschreiben.
The police questioned the suspect because a thief was seen nearby, but the witness could not describe the face exactly.
Ein Dieb hat mir auf dem Markt die Tasche gestohlen.
A thief stole my bag at the market.
Details
Mnemonics
Imagine a shadowy figure sneaking with a bag labeled 'Dieb' in big letters.
Think of 'die' + 'b' — someone who 'dies' for your stuff (playful)
der — picture a male silhouette wearing a hat to remember 'der Dieb'.
Notes
Common collocations: 'ein Dieb', 'der Taschendieb' (pickpocket). Do not confuse with 'Diebe' (plural).