# 梁上君子

liáng shàng jūn zǐ

A thief, referred to humorously

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** A gentleman on the roof beam

**Register:** Ironic · literary

[People & connection](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/relationships)

## When to use it

Use as a literary or humorous euphemism for a burglar.

The word gentleman is ironic; it does not praise theft.

## Understanding the expression

A roof beam suggests someone hiding above the room rather than entering openly through the door. Calling that hidden person a gentleman softens the direct word thief with irony. Contemporary use is often playful in news writing or storytelling, especially about burglary. It is not a general term for every dishonest person. In an urgent report to police, a plain description of the suspect and actions is clearer.

## Examples

监控拍到了那位梁上君子翻窗进屋。

### Traditional Chinese

監控拍到了那位梁上君子翻窗進屋。

jiān kòng pāi dào le nà wèi liáng shàng jūn zǐ fān chuāng jìn wū 。

The camera caught the burglar climbing through the window.

小店昨夜来了梁上君子，现金不见了。

### Traditional Chinese

小店昨夜來了梁上君子，現金不見了。

xiǎo diàn zuó yè lái le liáng shàng jūn zǐ ， xiàn jīn bú jiàn le 。

A thief visited the shop last night, and cash disappeared.

他在小说里写了一个改过自新的梁上君子。

### Traditional Chinese

他在小說裡寫了一個改過自新的梁上君子。

tā zài xiǎo shuō lǐ xiě le yí gè gǎi guò zì xīn de liáng shàng jūn zǐ 。

He wrote a burglar who reforms in his novel.

窗户没锁，差点给梁上君子留下机会。

### Traditional Chinese

窗戶沒鎖，差點給梁上君子留下機會。

chuāng hù méi suǒ ， chà diǎn gěi liáng shàng jūn zǐ liú xià jī huì 。

The unlocked window nearly gave a burglar an opportunity.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E6%A2%81%E4%B8%8A%E5%90%9B%E5%AD%90)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=381&webMd=1&la=0)

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