German word

Mafia

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈmafi̯a/

Meaning

  • feminine nounmafia

Example

Der Einfluss der Mafia ist groß.

The Mafia's influence is considerable.

Illustration for Mafia (mafia)

More examples

Das Netzwerk der Mafia operierte europaweit.

The mafia network operated throughout Europe.

Core concept

A tightly loyal criminal network uses violence, corruption, and secrecy to control businesses, politics, or territory.

Common phrases

  • das Netzwerk der Mafia

    the mafia network

  • Geldwäsche der Mafia

    mafia money laundering

  • die Aktivitäten der Mafia

    mafia activities

Similar words

Organisierte Kriminalität: A coordinated pattern of ongoing crimes serving shared profit or control.
Verbrecherorganisation: A criminal group with a planned structure for committing offenses.
Bande: A few criminals acting together to carry out crimes.
Clan: A close-knit group united by family ties or strong bonds and wielding influence.

Definition in German

Organisierte, illegale Vereinigung, die durch Gewaltanwendung, Bestechung und geschlossene Loyalität wirtschaftliche und politische Kontrolle ausübt.

Word origin

The German noun Mafia was borrowed from Italian, where the term became established in the nineteenth century for Sicilian organized crime; its earlier origin remains disputed.

Usage tips

  • Mafia is normally a singular feminine noun in German, so the standard form is die Mafia and the genitive is der Mafia.

Other meanings

  • mobnoun

Opposites

  • Legalitätlegalitynoun
  • Staatsgewaltstate powernoun

Related words

  • Mafiaorganisationmafia organizationnoun
  • mafiösmafia-likeadjective

Word lists with this word