偷

The core sense is surreptitious action. This includes the act of taking something without notice—often implying smaller-scale pilfering—as well as any action performed secretly or covertly (e.g., "stealing" a glance or time).

Functions as a transitive verb (taking an object), an adverb of manner (modifying another action to indicate it is being done surreptitiously), or a noun (referring to a thief or burglar).

Distinguished from 盜 (//dào//) by emphasis: where 盜 focuses on the crime, legal violation, or status of the perpetrator (larceny/banditry), 偷 emphasizes the manner of the act—the stealth and secrecy involved.

Fanqie reading: 託侯; Tang-period reading: //tou//. Semantic variant: U+5078.