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mafia

MAH-fya/ˈma.fja/

“mafia” means “mafia” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

mafia, crime syndicate

Also: mob
NounfB1
Three serious figures wearing dark suits and fedoras are sitting around a large, dimly lit table, suggesting a secret meeting of an organized crime group.

📝 In Action

La policía arrestó a varios líderes de la mafia siciliana.

B1

The police arrested several leaders of the Sicilian mafia.

Dicen que el negocio está controlado por la mafia.

B2

They say the business is controlled by the mob.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • crimen organizado (organized crime)
  • banda (gang)

Common Collocations

  • lucha contra la mafia – fight against the mafia
  • jefe de la mafia – mafia boss

clique, cabal

Also: inner circle
NounfB2informal
A small group of three people, dressed in luxurious, formal attire, standing close together on a slightly raised platform, symbolizing an exclusive and powerful clique.

📝 In Action

Hay una mafia de críticos de cine que decide qué películas ganan premios.

B2

There is a clique of film critics who decide which movies win awards.

Solo los miembros de su pequeña mafia tienen acceso al director.

C1

Only members of his small inner circle have access to the director.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • camarilla (cabal/clique)
  • círculo de poder (circle of power)

Common Collocations

  • la mafia política – the political clique
  • la mafia periodística – the journalistic cabal

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "mafia" in Spanish:

cabal→clique→crime syndicate→inner circle→mafia→mob→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: mafia

Question 1 of 1

¿Cuál de estas oraciones usa la palabra 'mafia' en su sentido figurado (no criminal)?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
mafioso(mafia member (masculine)) — Noun
mafiosa(mafia member (feminine)) — Noun
mafioso/a(mafia-like (adjective)) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
grafíageografía
📚 Etymology▼

This word comes directly from Italian, specifically the Sicilian dialect, where it first appeared in the mid-19th century. Its original meaning was related to 'boldness,' 'swagger,' or 'confidence,' before it became associated with the infamous criminal organization.

First recorded: Mid-19th century (in Italian)

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: mafiaEnglish: mafia

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Frequently Asked Questions

¿Es 'mafia' una palabra de origen español?

No, 'mafia' es una palabra que el español tomó prestada directamente del italiano (específicamente, del dialecto siciliano). Se usa igual en muchos idiomas del mundo.

¿La palabra 'mafia' siempre tiene una connotación negativa?

Sí, casi siempre. Su significado principal se refiere al crimen organizado, y cuando se usa para describir grupos no criminales (como un grupo de críticos), implica que son corruptos, exclusivos o injustos.