Japanese Conversation · Level 34
90 words
Japanese word
マフィア
Pronunciation
Romajimafia
Meaning
- nounmafia
Example
その本にはマフィアの歴史が書かれています。so no hon ni wa ma fi a no reki shi ga ka ka re te i ma su
The book describes the history of the mafia.
More examples
警察はマフィアの資金源を詳しく調べています。kei satsu wa ma fi a no shi kin gen o kuwa shi ku shira be te i ma su
The police are carefully investigating the mafia's sources of funding.
Core concept
Describes a secretive, organized group that uses crime to gain wealth and influence.
Common phrases
マフィアのボスma fi a no bo su
mafia boss
マフィアの一員ma fi a no ichi in
member of the mafia
マフィア映画ma fi a ei ga
mafia movie
Similar words
犯罪組織hanzaisoshiki: A group formed to commit crimes through planned and ongoing activities.
シンジケートshinjikēto: An organized association that controls illegal businesses or other criminal activities.
暴力団bōryokudan: A Japanese organized crime group with a formal structure and established ties among its members.
Definition in Japanese
犯罪によって利益や権力を得る、秘密性と組織性をもつ集団。han zai ni yo tte ri eki ya ken ryoku o u ru hi mitsu sei to so shiki sei o mo tsu shū dan
Word origin
The Japanese word マフィア (mafia) comes from Italian mafia, and the deeper origin of the Italian word is uncertain.
Usage tips
- In English, the Mafia with a capital M often refers to Sicilian or Italian American crime organizations, while lowercase mafia can refer to organized crime more generally.
Other meanings
- mobnoun