mafia
/MAH-fya/
mafia
The primary meaning of mafia refers to an organized crime syndicate.
mafia(noun)
mafia
?organized crime syndicate
,crime syndicate
?general term
mob
?informal criminal group
📝 In Action
La policía arrestó a varios líderes de la mafia siciliana.
B1The police arrested several leaders of the Sicilian mafia.
Dicen que el negocio está controlado por la mafia.
B2They say the business is controlled by the mob.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Check
Even though the word ends in '-a', remember that 'mafia' is always a feminine noun, so you must use 'la' before it: 'la mafia'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the wrong article
Mistake: "El mafia es peligrosa."
Correction: La mafia es peligrosa. (Always use the feminine article 'la'.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Cultural Context
While the word originated in Italy (Sicily), it is used globally in Spanish to refer to any large, powerful, and secretive criminal organization.
In a secondary context, mafia can be used to describe an exclusive, powerful group or clique.
mafia(noun)
clique
?exclusive powerful group
,cabal
?secretive political group
inner circle
?a select group that controls things
📝 In Action
Hay una mafia de críticos de cine que decide qué películas ganan premios.
B2There is a clique of film critics who decide which movies win awards.
Solo los miembros de su pequeña mafia tienen acceso al director.
C1Only members of his small inner circle have access to the director.
💡 Grammar Points
Figurative Use
In this sense, 'mafia' is used metaphorically to exaggerate how powerful, exclusive, and perhaps unfair a non-criminal group is. It implies they operate secretly.
⭐ Usage Tips
Tone Warning
Using 'mafia' in this figurative way always carries a negative judgment, implying corruption, secrecy, or unfair control.
✏️ 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
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.