yakuza

[ yah-koo-zah ]

noun

, plural ya·ku·za.

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.

yakuza

/ jəˈkuːzə /

noun

1. the yakuza
   a Japanese criminal organization involved in illegal gambling, extortion, gun-running, etc
2. a member of this organization

Word History and Origins

Origin of yakuza¹

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 )

Word History and Origins

Origin of yakuza¹

C20: from Japanese ya eight + ku nine + za three, the worst hand in a game of cards

Example Sentences

They often cooperate with yakuza, obscuring the boundary between them and making police investigations more difficult, experts and authorities say.

From Seattle Times

That episode occurred decades after the infamous “Black Mist Scandal,” when from 1969 to 1971 several Japanese players were punished for accepting money from organized crime figures known as yakuza to throw games.

From Los Angeles 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