yakuza

American  

[yah-koo-zah] / ˈyɑ kʊˌzɑ /

noun

plural

yakuza

1. any of various tightly knit Japanese criminal organizations having a ritualistic, strict code of honor.

2. such organizations collectively.

3. a member of such an organization; gangster.

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yakuza British  

/ jəˈkuːzə /

noun

1. a Japanese criminal organization involved in illegal gambling, extortion, gun-running, etc

2. a member of this organization

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Etymology

Origin of yakuza

1960–65; < Japanese: racketeer, gambler, good-for-nothing, useless, from the name of a game in which the worst hand is of three cards marked ya eight, ku nine (< Middle Chinese, equivalent to Chinese jiǒu ), and -za three (combining form of sa ( n ) < Middle Chinese, equivalent to Chinese sān )

Example Sentences

It tells the dark fantasy story of orphaned teenager Denji, who is killed by the yakuza but reborn by merging with his pet devil to become Chainsaw Man.

From Barron's

Local residents and businesses have also stepped up and filed dozens of lawsuits against yakuza groups to bar them from their communities.

From Seattle Times

Tattoos have long been taboo in Japan, where they are associated with yakuza organised crime gangs.

From BBC

"Itami was a very tongue-in-cheek filmmaker and he did a movie about the yakuza," Wu said.

From Salon

In lieu of payment, the yakuza becomes his apprentice, incidentally forming a friendship with the master’s son, a talented rakugoka who only wants to design clothes.

From Los Angeles Times