盗
dào · HSK 7
to steal
🥷💰 次 (next) + 皿 (dish) — someone next to the dishes is swiping them
The top component resembles 次 (next/second) and the bottom is 皿 (dish/plate). A person hovering next to the plates, grabbing them one after the next — thats a thief at work.
盗 — 次 (drool/desire) + 皿 (dish/vessel)
Originally depicted someone drooling (次, showing saliva 氵 next to a person yawning 欠) over a vessel of food (皿), capturing the idea of coveting what belongs to others. The meaning extended from coveting to stealing, and today 盗 means 'to steal' or 'thief/robber'.