mafia

/ˈmæfiə/ (bre, ipa) · [mˈɑfiə] /ˈmɑːfiə/ (ame, ipa) · [mˈɑfiə] /ˈmä-fē-ə How to pronounce Mafia (audio) ˈma-/ (ame, mw)

mafia — 名詞

  • mafiasingular
  • mafiasplural

1. an organized crime group, especially one historically linked with Sicily and lat

1.名詞B2
釋義

黑手黨

源自西西里的犯罪組織

an organized crime group, especially one historically linked with Sicily and later with Italy and the United States

例句

Piotr said the local mafia controlled the port after dark.

Piotr 說，當地黑手黨入夜後就控制了港口。

the mafia + control + place

During the trial, Sofia described how the mafia collected money from shop owners.

庭審期間，Sofia 描述黑手黨如何向店主收錢。

the mafia collects money from + people

同義詞
  • gang

    is broader and can refer to a smaller or less organized criminal group

  • syndicate

    sounds more formal and often stresses coordinated criminal business

  • cartel

    usually highlights control of a trade such as drugs rather than the whole criminal society

文法句型

the mafia controls + place

the mafia collects money from + people

mafia boss/member/family

用法筆記

Often used with the when people mean a known criminal organization. Common contexts involve controlling an area, demanding protection money, or ordering violence through a chain of command.

常見錯誤

❌A group of boys stealing bikes was a mafia.
✅A group of boys stealing bikes was a gang.
💡mafia usually suggests a larger, organized network with lasting power and secret influence, not just any small group of criminals.

2. an unfair inner group in a workplace, club, or profession whose members help one

2.名詞C1
釋義

小圈子

靠自己人護航的排外集團

an unfair inner group in a workplace, club, or profession whose members help one another and shut other people out

例句

At city hall, staff joked that the parking office was a mafia.

在市政廳裡，員工打趣說停車辦公室根本是個小圈子。

be a mafia inside an organization

Evelyn felt the festival mafia kept giving the best stalls to friends.

Evelyn 覺得活動攤位的小圈子老是把最好的位置給朋友。

the + noun + mafia

同義詞
  • clique

    focuses on a small exclusive social group, often without the strong corruption idea

  • inner circle

    can be neutral, so it is weaker than mafia

  • old-boy network

    specifically suggests privileged men helping one another through connections

文法句型

the + noun + mafia

a mafia inside + organization

mafia keeps outsiders out

用法筆記

Usually metaphorical and strongly critical. Speakers choose this sense when a tight group seems to pass jobs, access, or influence mainly to its own members.

常見錯誤

❌Our chess club is a mafia because we meet every Friday.
✅Our chess club is just a close group of friends.
💡mafia in this sense implies unfair insider advantage, not ordinary friendship or teamwork.