yakuza
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.”
How to use yakuza
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishJapan's equivalent of organized crime families, known for strict hierarchy and distinctive tattoos.
Word forms
yakuza plural, yakuzas plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include yakuza: