mafia
mah-FEE-ah
How to say it
Swahilimafiamah-FEE-ah
Englishmafia, organized crime gang
Frenchmafia, crime organisé
Meaning
A secret criminal organization, first in Italy, and by extension any powerful gang that controls a trade by force.
Good to know
N class noun. Mafia is also the name of an island and district off the Tanzanian coast, in Pwani region.
Examples
- Polisi walimkamata kiongozi wa mafia.The police arrested a mafia boss.
- Biashara ya dawa za kulevya inaendeshwa na mafia.The drug trade is run by gangsters.
- Filamu hiyo inahusu maisha ya mafia wa Italia.That film is about the lives of the Italian mafia.
Not yet checked by a native speaker.