Translation guide
A member of an organized crime group, especially the Mafia. In Japanese, the most common term is やくざ, but it refers specifically to Japanese organized crime. For Italian-American Mafia, マフィア or マフィアの構成員 is used.
Referring to a member of a Japanese crime syndicate.
The most common term for a member of a Japanese organized crime group. Can also refer to the organization itself.
彼はやくざだ。
He is a mobster.
あの店はやくざが経営している。
That shop is run by mobsters.
Formal term used in legal and news contexts. Literally 'member of a violent group'.
警察は暴力団員を逮捕した。
The police arrested a mobster.
A more traditional or dramatic term for a yakuza member, often used in movies or novels.
彼は極道の世界に足を踏み入れた。
He stepped into the world of mobsters.
Referring to a member of the Mafia, especially the Italian-American Mafia.
The loanword for 'Mafia'. Can refer to the organization or a member. Often clarified with context.
彼はマフィアの一員だ。
He is a member of the Mafia.
マフィアが関わっているらしい。
The mobsters seem to be involved.
Explicitly means 'member of the Mafia'. More precise than just マフィア.
彼はマフィアの構成員として起訴された。
He was indicted as a mobster.
Loanword for 'gang'. Can refer to a mobster or gangster in a broad sense, not exclusively Mafia.
街にはギャングがいる。
There are mobsters in the city.
Referring to a violent criminal, often in a colloquial sense.
General term for a villain or thug. Not specific to organized crime.
あいつはただの悪党だ。
He's just a mobster.
A ruffian or rogue. Slightly old-fashioned, often used in fiction.
やくざ specifically refers to Japanese organized crime syndicates. Using it for Italian Mafia or other foreign groups can cause confusion. Use マフィア or ギャング instead.
彼はイタリアのマフィアだ。
He is an Italian mobster.
やくざ is the common, everyday term. 暴力団 is the formal, legal term used by police and media. In casual conversation, やくざ is preferred.
やくざ映画が好きだ。
I like yakuza movies.
暴力団対策法が施行された。
The anti-organized crime law was enacted.
The town is full of mobsters.