Mafia vs. Bratva — What's the Difference?

A mafia is a type of organized crime syndicate whose primary activities are protection racketeering, arbitrating disputes between criminals, and brokering and enforcing illegal agreements and transactions. Mafias often engage in secondary activities such as gambling, loan sharking, drug-trafficking, prostitution, and fraud.

(countable) A Russian organized crime syndicate/family.

A secret criminal organization operating mainly in Sicily since the early 1800s and known for its intimidation of and retribution against law enforcement officials and witnesses.

(as "the bratva") Russian organized crime collectively.

A secret criminal organization operating mainly in the United States and Italy and engaged in illegal activities such as gambling, drug-dealing, protection, and prostitution.

Any of various similar criminal organizations, especially when dominated by members of the same nationality.

Often mafia(Informal) A tightly knit group of trusted associates, as of a political leader

A hierarchically structured secret organisation engaged in illegal activities like distribution of narcotics, gambling and extortion.

A crime syndicate.

A trusted group of associates, as of a political leader.

An entity which attempts to control a specified arena.

See maffia, maffioso.

A crime syndicate in the United States; organized in families; believed to have important relations to the Sicilian Mafia

A secret terrorist group in Sicily; originally opposed tyranny but evolved into a criminal organization in the middle of the 19th century

Any tightly knit group of trusted associates