暗 黒 街(あんこくがい)

あんこくがい

noun

underworld; criminal quarter

society law

1. underworld; criminal quarter; world of organized crime

The world of organized crime, or a district known for criminal activity. Often used in fiction, film, and journalism.

暗黒街(あんこくがい)のボス。

A boss of the underworld.

この映画(えいが)は暗黒街(あんこくがい)を舞台(ぶたい)にした物語(ものがたり)だ。

This film is a story set in the criminal underworld.

戦後(せんご)の混乱期(こんらんき)に暗黒街(あんこくがい)が勢力(せいりょく)を拡大(かくだい)した。

The criminal underworld expanded its influence during the postwar period of chaos.

A compound of 暗黒(あんこく) (darkness) and 街(がい) (district/quarter). Evokes the image of a shadowy, lawless world. Frequently used in film noir, detective fiction, and crime dramas.

Common collocations

暗黒街(あんこくがい)のボス: underworld boss
暗黒街(あんこくがい)を支配(しはい)する: to rule the underworld
暗黒街(あんこくがい)に足(あし)を踏(ふ)み入(い)れる: to step into the underworld

Similar words

裏社会(うらしゃかい): underworld, shadow society — more commonly used in modern Japanese for the criminal world
闇(やみ): darkness — metaphorically used for illegal or hidden activities (闇(やみ)ルート, 闇取引(やみとりひき))
マフィア: mafia — specifically refers to organized crime syndicates

Related Words

Compare: 裏社会(うらしゃかい) (underworld, shadow society)

Compare: 闇(やみ) (darkness)

general

Added 2026.4.7 6:27 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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