ヤクザ
yakuza
The Japanese word for gangster is ヤクザ (yakuza).
ヤクザ is the standard term used to refer to members of organized crime syndicates in Japan.
Meaning: street gang member (noun)
Which one should you use?
While ヤクザ specifically refers to Japanese organized crime, the loanword ギャング (gyangu) is used to describe Western-style street gangs or general gang activity.
How do you pronounce it?
yakuza
When do people say it?
The term is traditionally thought to be derived from a card game where a 'bad hand' is called 'yakuza'.
Did you know?
- Unlike gangs in many other countries, ヤクザ organizations are not illegal to exist and often have public offices with official business cards.
- The ritual of 指詰め involves a ヤクザ cutting off a joint of their own pinky finger as a sign of apology or atonement.
- Some ヤクザ groups traditionally provide disaster relief and charity in local neighborhoods faster than the government can during earthquakes.
Examples in context
- 彼はヤクザのメンバーです。He is a member of the yakuza.
- 彼は極道のボスだ。He is the boss of a gang.
- 彼らは暴力団に所属している。They are affiliated with an organized crime group.
- あの人はヤクザだ。Ano hito wa yakuza da.That person is a gangster.
- 彼はヤクザと関わりがある。Kare wa yakuza to kakawari ga aru.He has connections to a street gang.
Example conversation
Misaki and Ren are talking about a scary man they saw on the street.
- 美咲 Misakiさっき、怖い人がいたね。Sakki, kowai hito ga ita ne.There was a scary person just now, wasn't there?
- 蓮 Renあ、ヤクザかな？A, yakuza kana?Ah, I wonder if he was a gangster?
- 美咲 Misaki見た目がとても強そうだった。Mitame ga totemo tsuyosou datta.He looked very intimidating.
- 蓮 Ren近づかないようにしよう。Chikazukanai you ni shiyou.Let's make sure to stay away from him.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ヤクザ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
