The words "steal" and "rob" are both about taking something that isn't yours, but there's a key difference. "Steal" means to take something secretly or without permission, usually without confronting anyone. "Rob," on the other hand, implies a forceful taking, often involving a threat or the use of force against a person or place. Think of it this way: you steal a candy bar from a store, but you rob a bank.

Here are some example sentences to illustrate the difference:

• Steal: "Someone stole my bicycle from my garage." (Meaning: My bicycle was taken secretly, without my knowledge, likely without any confrontation.)
• Steal (translation): The meaning is that someone took the bicycle without permission and secretly.
• Rob: "The robbers robbed the bank and got away with a million dollars." (Meaning: The robbers used force or threat of force to take the money.)
• Rob (translation): The meaning is that the robbers stole the money from the bank with threat or force.

Notice that "steal" often describes taking something smaller, whereas "rob" usually involves larger amounts or more serious actions. However, this isn't always the case; you could steal a car, and you could rob someone of a few coins. The key is whether force or threat is involved.

Here's another example:

• Steal: "He stole a glance at her beautiful necklace." (Meaning: He secretly looked at her necklace.)
• Steal (translation): He looked at her necklace without her knowing.
• Rob: "They robbed him of his dignity." (Meaning: They took away his dignity, in a metaphorical sense, though it's still a forceful taking.)
• Rob (translation): They forcefully took away his dignity.

The context is important when deciding whether to use "steal" or "rob." Consider whether force or threat is involved. If not, "steal" is the better choice. Happy learning!