How to Say "Mafia" in Korean - How To Say Guide

마피아

mapia[ma̠pʰia̠]

The English phrase 'mafia' is translated into Korean as 마피아 (mapia).

마피아 is used to refer to a crime syndicate. It is a direct translation of the English word 'mafia' and closely resembles its original pronunciation.

Meaning: a crime syndicate (noun)

Which one should you use?

While 마피아 refers to the criminal organization, the phrase 마피아 게임 is specifically used to name the popular social deduction party game.

mapia

While 마피아 refers to the syndicate, Koreans use the term 조폭 (short for 조직폭력배) to describe their own domestic gangs. Using 마피아 for a local Korean gang would sound like a movie script rather than natural speech.
Korean speakers often use 마피아 as a metaphor for a small, exclusive group of people who secretly control a social circle or a workplace, regardless of any actual criminal activity.
The game 마피아 게임 is so popular in Korea that it has influenced the development of several domestic mobile apps and variety show segments, often becoming a staple of Korean university 'MT' (membership training) trips.

마피아 영화 좋아해?
Do you like mafia movies?
응, 영화 속 마피아 이야기는 흥미로워.
Yes, I find the stories about Mafia in movies fascinating.
그 영화에는 마피아가 등장해요.
geu yeong-hwa-e-neun ma-pi-a-ga deung-jang-hae-yo.
A mafia appears in that movie.
그는 마피아 조직원이었어요.
geu-neun ma-pi-a jo-jik-won-i-eoss-eo-yo.
He was a member of the mafia.
마피아의 힘은 매우 강력합니다.
ma-pi-a-ui him-eun mae-u gang-ryeok-ham-ni-da.
The power of the mafia is very strong.

Two friends are discussing a crime thriller movie.

현우 Hyeon-woo

이 영화의 주인공은 마피아예요.
i yeong-hwa-ui ju-in-gong-eun ma-pi-a-ye-yo.
The main character of this movie is a mafia.
서연 Seo-yeon

정말 무서운 영화네요.
jeong-mal mu-seo-un yeong-hwa-ne-yo.
It is a truly scary movie.
현우 Hyeon-woo

서연 씨는 이런 장르를 좋아해요?
seo-yeon ssi-neun i-reon jang-neu-reul jo-a-hae-yo?
Seoyeon, do you like this genre?
서연 Seo-yeon

아니요, 저는 조금 무서워요.
a-ni-yo, jeo-neun jo-geum mu-seo-wo-yo.
No, I am a little scared.

Sources

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