noun
yakuza
YA-koo-zuh
Yakuza (noun) means an organized Japanese crime syndicate, or a member of one. Example: “The film follows a young man drawn into the yakuza after moving to Tokyo.”
noun
1
An organized Japanese crime syndicate, or a member of one.
"The film follows a young man drawn into the yakuza after moving to Tokyo."
How to use yakuza
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishJapan's equivalent of organized crime families, known for strict hierarchy and distinctive tattoos.
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Word forms
- Plural
- yakuzas
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The film follows a young man drawn into the _____ after moving to Tokyo.
Etymology
From Japanese yakuza, originally a term from a losing hand in a card game — meaning "good for nothing" — later applied to gangsters.
Rhymes for yakuza
See all rhymes for yakuza →Frequently asked questions
What does “yakuza” mean?
The word “yakuza” means an organized Japanese crime syndicate, or a member of one. In plain terms, japan's equivalent of organized crime families, known for strict hierarchy and distinctive tattoos.
How do you pronounce “yakuza”?
“Yakuza” is pronounced YA-koo-zuh (/ˈjækuzə/ in IPA).
How do you use “yakuza” in a sentence?
Here is “yakuza” used in a sentence: “The film follows a young man drawn into the yakuza after moving to Tokyo.”
What part of speech is “yakuza”?
“Yakuza” is a noun.
Where does the word “yakuza” come from?
The word “yakuza” comes from Japanese. From Japanese yakuza, originally a term from a losing hand in a card game — meaning "good for nothing" — later applied to gangsters.
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