Japanese for Reporting a Theft: Say 'My Wallet Was Stolen' and File a Police Report
Learn to report a theft in Japanese: say 'My wallet was stolen,' file a police report (higai todoke), and handle basic questions from officers.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
If your wallet is stolen in Japan, you'll need to file a police report, called a higai todoke. This lesson teaches you the key phrase 'My wallet was stolen' (saifu o nusumaremashita) and guides you through the vocabulary and patterns for reporting a theft. You'll learn how to state what was stolen, when and where it happened, and how to ask for a copy of the report for insurance or replacement cards. The focus is on practical, polite Japanese that works at a kōban (police box) or police station. By the end, you'll be able to handle the initial report with confidence.
By the end, you can…
- say 'My wallet was stolen' and name other stolen items in Japanese.
- file a police report (higai todoke) and answer basic questions about the theft.
- ask for a copy of the report and understand next steps.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
財布を盗まれました。
My wallet was stolen.
Saifu o nusumaremashita.
Use this to state the theft. Nusumaremashita is the polite past passive form of nusumu (to steal), meaning 'was stolen.' The particle o marks the item that was stolen.
盗難に遭いました。
I was a victim of theft.
Tōnan ni aimashita.
A formal way to report a theft. Tōnan means 'theft' or 'robbery,' and ni au means 'to encounter' (often used for unfortunate events).
被害届を出したいです。
I want to file a police report.
Higai todoke o dashitai desu.
Higai todoke is the official document for reporting a crime. Dashitai desu means 'want to submit.' Use this at the police station.
いつ、どこで盗まれましたか。
When and where was it stolen?
Itsu, doko de nusumaremashita ka.
A typical question from police. You'll need to answer with time and place.
届出の控えをいただけますか。
Could I have a copy of the report?
Todoke no hikae o itadakemasu ka.
Ask for a copy (hikae) of the report. Useful for insurance or replacing documents.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To say what was stolen, use '[item] o nusumaremashita.' For example, 'Saifu o nusumaremashita' (My wallet was stolen) or 'Pasupōto o nusumaremashita' (My passport was stolen). The particle o marks the object. If you want to say where it was stolen, add '[place] de': 'Eki de saifu o nusumaremashita' (My wallet was stolen at the station). To mention when, add time words like 'kinō' (yesterday) or 'asa' (morning): 'Kinō, eki de saifu o nusumaremashita.' This pattern is essential for the report.
When to use it
Use these phrases when speaking to a police officer at a kōban or police station. Start with 'Sumimasen' to get attention, then state the theft: 'Sumimasen, saifu o nusumaremashita.' If you want to file a report, say 'Higai todoke o dashitai desu.' The officer will likely ask questions like 'Itsu, doko de nusumaremashita ka.' Answer with time and place: 'Kinō no gogo, Shinjuku eki de nusumaremashita.' If you don't understand, say 'Yukkuri onegaishimasu' (Please speak slowly). After filing, ask for a copy: 'Todoke no hikae o itadakemasu ka.'
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
すみません、財布を盗まれました。
Excuse me, my wallet was stolen.Sumimasen, saifu o nusumaremashita.いつ、どこで盗まれましたか。
When and where was it stolen?Itsu, doko de nusumaremashita ka.昨日の午後、新宿駅で盗まれました。
It was stolen yesterday afternoon at Shinjuku Station.Kinō no gogo, Shinjuku eki de nusumaremashita.被害届を出しますか。
Are you going to file a police report?Higai todoke o dashimasu ka.A little context goes a long way
In Japan, filing a higai todoke is often necessary for insurance claims or replacing official documents. Police may ask for identification and details. While you can report at a kōban, larger stations handle reports. Be polite and patient; officers may not speak English, so using simple Japanese helps. Having your residence card or passport ready speeds up the process.
One thing to watch for
Using 'nusumimashita' instead of 'nusumaremashita'.
Try this instead: 'Nusumimashita' means 'I stole,' which is wrong. Use the passive 'nusumaremashita' to mean 'was stolen.' For example, 'Saifu o nusumaremashita' (My wallet was stolen).
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'My wallet was stolen' in Japanese?
Show a sample answer
財布を盗まれました。 (Saifu o nusumaremashita.)
This uses the passive form nusumaremashita to indicate the wallet was stolen. You could also say 'Saifu ga nusumaremashita,' but 'o' is more common with transitive verbs in this context.
2What phrase would you use to ask for a copy of the police report?
Show a sample answer
届出の控えをいただけますか。 (Todoke no hikae o itadakemasu ka.)
This politely asks for a copy (hikae) of the report (todoke). You could also say 'Kopī o moraemasu ka' but 'hikae' is the specific term for a report copy.
3How would you answer if a police officer asks 'Itsu, doko de nusumaremashita ka'?
Show a sample answer
昨日の午後、新宿駅で盗まれました。 (Kinō no gogo, Shinjuku eki de nusumaremashita.)
This provides both time (kinō no gogo) and place (Shinjuku eki de). You can substitute your own details. The particle 'de' marks the location.
Remember: 'Saifu o nusumaremashita' is your key phrase. File a higai todoke at the police station, and ask for a copy (hikae) for your records.
Progress is saved on this browser.
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Put today’s Japanese into a conversation with an AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr