Spanish word

mafioso

Pronunciation

IPA/maˈfjoso/

Meaning

  • masculine nounmafia member

Example

Dicen que un mafioso vive en ese barrio.

They say a mafia member lives in that neighborhood.

Illustration for mafioso (mafia member)

More examples

No quiero hablar con un mafioso.

I don't want to talk to a mafia member.

Core concept

Member of an organized-crime group.

Common phrases

  • hablar con un mafioso

    talk to a mafia member

  • tener miedo de los mafiosos

    be afraid of mafia members

  • evitar a los mafiosos

    avoid mafia members

Similar words

delincuente: Person who commits crimes in general; a criminal offender.
mafía: Organized criminal organization that carries out illegal enterprises.
gánster: Person involved in violent criminal activity and related offenses.
matón: Person who uses violence or threats to intimidate others.

Definition in Spanish

Persona que pertenece a la mafia o a otra organización criminal y que participa en actividades ilegales o en negocios clandestinos.

Word origin

From Italian mafioso, ultimately from Sicilian mafiusu meaning 'bold' or 'swaggering', originally applied to members of the Sicilian Mafia.

Usage tips

  • In formal or unproven contexts the term has a strong accusatory criminal tone, so speakers often prefer neutral phrases such as 'miembro de una organización criminal'.

Other meanings

  • underworld figurenoun

Word lists with this word