極道(ごくどう)

ごくどう
noun
gangster; yakuza; delinquent
informalsocietylaw
1. gangster; yakuza member; organized crime member
A person involved in organized crime. Often used as a synonym for yakuza in media and popular culture.
極道(ごくどう)映画(えいが)が好(す)きだ。
I like gangster movies.
極道(ごくどう)の世界(せかい)から足(あし)を洗(あら)った。
He left the world of organized crime behind.
あの映画(えいが)は極道(ごくどう)の親分(おやぶん)と子分(こぶん)の関係(かんけい)を描(えが)いている。
That movie depicts the relationship between a gang boss and his subordinates.
2. delinquent; good-for-nothing; wastrel
A person who leads an immoral or dissolute lifestyle. The original meaning before it became associated primarily with organized crime.
若(わか)い頃(ころ)は極道(ごくどう)な生活(せいかつ)を送(おく)っていた。
In my youth, I led a dissolute lifestyle.
あの息子(むすこ)は極道(ごくどう)息子(むすこ)で、親(おや)を泣(な)かせている。
That son is a good-for-nothing who makes his parents cry.
極道(ごくどう)な道(みち)に進(すす)まないように、子供(こども)にしっかり教育(きょういく)したい。
I want to educate my children properly so they don't go down the wrong path.

Etymology

Originally a Buddhist term meaning "the furthest extreme of the path" — someone who has strayed so far from the righteous path that they are beyond redemption.

Usage

In modern usage, sense 1 (gangster/yakuza) is dominant, especially due to popular films and manga. The word is widely known through the "極道(ごくどう)の妻(つま)たち" film series. Sense 2 is more old-fashioned.

Similar words

Related Words

Synonym: やくざ (yakuza (most common term))
Synonym: 暴力団(ぼうりょくだん) (organized crime group (official))
general
Added 2026.3.14 19:32 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
16500/16807_gokudou