Definition

A member of a Japanese organized crime group involved in illegal activities.

Example

The police are investigating the activities of the yakuza in the city.

Conversation

Have you ever seen a movie about the yakuza?

Yeah, I watched one last week, it was really intense!

I find their stories fascinating, especially their code of honor.

Same here! The whole world of the yakuza is so intriguing.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Yakuza originates from Japanese (やくざ), which refers to a group involved in organized crime. The term itself is derived from a traditional Japanese card game, where 'ya' (や) means 'eight', 'ku' (く) means 'nine', and 'za' (ざ) means 'three', representing a losing hand. Thus, yakuza symbolizes those who are considered outcasts or failures in society.

Memory Tip

Think of the numbers 'eight', 'nine', and 'three' representing a losing hand in a game, which helps you remember that 'yakuza' refers to those who are often seen as outcasts in society.

Visually Confused Words