What does "Swipe" mean?

To steal, especially casually or opportunistically. To take something that isn't yours in a quick, casual manner. Less serious than 'steal.'

How do you use "Swipe" in a sentence?

Someone swiped my umbrella. He swiped a cookie from the jar. My phone got swiped at the concert.

Swipe

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Casual

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Meaning: To steal, especially casually or opportunistically.

顺手牵羊，随手拿走

robar, especialmente de forma casual u oportunista

軽い気持ちで盗む、つまみ取る

슬쩍 훔치다, 가볍게 가져가다

To take something that isn't yours in a quick, casual manner. Less serious than 'steal.'

快速、随意地拿走不属于自己的东西。比'steal'语气轻。

Tomar algo que no es tuyo de manera rápida y casual. Menos grave que 'steal'.

自分のものでないものを素早く、カジュアルに取ること。「steal」より軽い表現。

남의 것을 재빨리 가볍게 가져가는 것. '훔치다(steal)'보다 덜 심각한 뉘앙스.

Literal meaning: Grab with a sweeping motion

Examples

Someone swiped my umbrella.
有人顺走了我的伞
Alguien me birló el paraguas
誰かが傘を持っていった
누가 내 우산을 슬쩍 가져갔다.
He swiped a cookie from the jar.
他从罐子里顺了块饼干
Se birló una galleta del tarro
彼は瓶からクッキーをつまんだ
그는 병에서 쿠키를 슬쩍 집어 갔다.
My phone got swiped at the concert.
我的手机在音乐会上被顺走了
Me birlaron el móvil en el concierto
コンサートで携帯を盗まれた
콘서트에서 핸드폰을 도둑맞았다.

Pronunciation

/swaɪp/

Usage Guide

Context: casual theft, opportunistic stealing, informal

Tone: casual, informal

✓ Do Say

Someone swiped it.
有人顺走了
Alguien se lo birló
誰かが持っていった
누가 슬쩍 가져갔어
Got swiped.
被顺走了
Se lo birlaron
盗まれた
슬쩍 당했어
Who swiped my drink?
谁拿了我的饮料？
¿Quién me ha birlado la bebida?
誰が飲み物を持っていった？
누가 내 음료 가져갔어?

✗ Don't Say

Stole it
Stole it（偷了）
Stole it（Lo robó）
Stole it（盗んだ）
Stole it (훔쳤다)
Took it
Took it（拿了）
Took it（Lo cogió）
Took it（取った）
Took it (가져갔다)

Common Mistakes

Now also means using a credit card or dating app
Casual theft, not major crime

Origin & History

From the quick swiping motion of taking something.

Etymology: English slang

First recorded: 19th century

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional to present

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Dora the Explorer ('Swiper no swiping'); Dating apps (different meaning)

Regional notes: Universal across English-speaking world.

Variations

SwipeSwipedGot swiped