止まれ (intransitive command form) was used which means 2. to stop (doing, working, being supplied); to come to a halt; to cease; to be stopped; to be suspended. ( https://jisho.org/search/%E6%AD%A2%E3%81%BE%E3%82%8B )
In both these signs, the grammar is technically correct and incorrect in the textbook sense. "Stop the steal" isn't a clean translation.
I personally like 議会！ 盗みを止まれ！ (下さい) because it's a polite command to stop stealing with context as to who is being told what to do.
I'll also be sending this to some of my Japanese friends for their opinion. Haven't got back to me on the first one but I'll add the second one. I'm basing my opinion on this from my Japanese 301 lessons in college so I could be wrong.
Last note, I love talking about this kind of thing so u/DTDTCCIA I'd appreciate discussing this further. And u/Minn2000 should keep anything we follow in mind.
The Japanese is grammatically incorrect:
盗みを止めろ！
https://jisho.org/search/%E7%9B%97%E3%81%BF In case anyone wants to check, 盗み is a noun meaning To Steal, rob, or pilfer. 止める is the transitive form meaning to stop (someone from doing something); to dissuade; to forbid; to prohibit ( def. 4 https://jisho.org/search/%E6%AD%A2%E3%82%81%E3%82%8B ).
In the previous one, 盗難 was used which means theft/robbery. ( https://jisho.org/search/盗難 )
止まれ (intransitive command form) was used which means 2. to stop (doing, working, being supplied); to come to a halt; to cease; to be stopped; to be suspended. ( https://jisho.org/search/%E6%AD%A2%E3%81%BE%E3%82%8B )
In both these signs, the grammar is technically correct and incorrect in the textbook sense. "Stop the steal" isn't a clean translation.
Literal translation 盗みを止める = Steal (direct obj. Particle) to stop. 盗難を止まれ = theft (direct obj. Particle) stop (command).
I personally like 議会！ 盗みを止まれ！ (下さい) because it's a polite command to stop stealing with context as to who is being told what to do.
I'll also be sending this to some of my Japanese friends for their opinion. Haven't got back to me on the first one but I'll add the second one. I'm basing my opinion on this from my Japanese 301 lessons in college so I could be wrong.
Last note, I love talking about this kind of thing so u/DTDTCCIA I'd appreciate discussing this further. And u/Minn2000 should keep anything we follow in mind.