inferi
The Italian word for 'underworld' (referring to a part of society engaged in crime) is inferi.
The term refers to the underworld in a social sense, specifically the part of society involved in crime or vice.
Meaning: part of society engaged in crime or vice (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In specific regions of Italy, the word for organized crime changes: La camorra is used predominantly in the Campania region to refer to the Neapolitan mafia and 'Ndrangheta is used in the Calabria region to denote the Calabrian mafia.
Did you know?
- When discussing the social hierarchy of the underworld, Italians might use the word cupola, which means 'dome', to describe the top leadership of a criminal organization.
- In many Italian crime dramas, the underworld is not just called inferi, but is metaphorically referred to as il sottobosco, which means 'the undergrowth'.
- While inferi describes the concept, if you want to speak about the criminal underworld in a news report, you are more likely to hear the term malavita, which literally means 'bad life'.
Examples in context
- La polizia è impegnata nella lotta contro il mondo criminale.The police are engaged in the fight against the criminal world.
- Gli sforzi per ridurre l'influenza della malavita sono in corso.Efforts to reduce the influence of the criminal underworld are underway.
- Ieri sono uscito con degli amici della mala.Yesterday, I went out with some friends from the underworld.
- La malavita non è soltanto legata a singole persone, ma è strutturata in vere e proprie organizzazioni.The criminal underworld isn't only tied to individuals, but it's structured into real organizations.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a crime movie.
- MatteoIl protagonista appartiene agli inferi.The protagonist belongs to the underworld.
- SofiaSì, sembra molto pericoloso.Yes, he seems very dangerous.
- MatteoGli inferi sono descritti molto bene.The underworld is described very well.
- SofiaConcordo, il film è realistico.I agree, the movie is realistic.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry inferi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
