Meaning
mafia
- organized criminal group
- system of criminal control and intimidation
In a sentence
Il film racconta la storia della mafia locale.
The film tells the story of the local mafia.
Hai letto quel libro sulla mafia siciliana?
Have you read that book about the Sicilian mafia?
La mafia non appare direttamente nel romanzo.
The mafia does not appear directly in the novel.
Word forms (2)
| Word | Word forms |
|---|---|
| mafia | feminine · singular |
| mafie | feminine · plural |
Usage notes
- Usually singular when referring to the phenomenon in general.
- Can also be used more broadly for a secretive group controlling something, but this is less neutral.
- Article is normally used: la mafia.