Inklingo

How to Say "cabal" in Spanish

The Spanish word forcabalis mafiaB2 level. This is a very common word in everyday Spanish.

English → SpanishB2

mafia

nounB2informal
secretive political group
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.

Examples

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

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

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

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

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.

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