Glossary of Terms

Understand Yakuza 0's street lingo and Japanese terms like Aniki, Chinpira, and Bubble Economy. Learn yakuza terminology.

Aniki - Literally translates to "big brother." Younger brothers use this term for older brothers in Japanese. In the yakuza world, an "aniki" is your direct superior and someone to aspire to be. Kiryu sometimes adds "aniki" after the names of Dojima family lieutenants as protocol.

Bubble - Refers to the "bubble economy" or "baburu keizai." During the 1980s, the housing market experienced a massive surge, making real estate workers extremely wealthy. The yakuza reportedly profited from this, possibly through bad loans, which eventually led to the bubble bursting. Yakuza 0 is set during the peak of this bubble economy.

Captain - In Japanese, this is the "wakagashira," the second-in-command of a yakuza family. The captain is considered to be on the verge of leading the family. The captaincy of the Dojima Family is a key plot point in Yakuza 0. Shintaro Kazama is the current captain of the Dojima Family, with three lieutenants vying for his position. It is possible to be a patriarch of one family and the captain of another, as Kazama is.

Chairman - The highest leader of a yakuza association, akin to a "godfather." The Chairman arbitrates for the families within an association, making decisions for the group's best interests. This position holds significant power and responsibility. Chairmen are typically referred to by their succession number. The current acting Chairman of the Tojo Clan is Takashi Nihara, who is seeking a successor.

Chinpira - This term refers to low-level yakuza members and general street punks. "Chinpira" are considered well below the yakuza executive ranks. They often wear flashy clothes or tracksuits. Kiryu's typical attire, even when in a high position, resembles that of a "chinpira" with a somewhat flashy suit. Kiryu's Brawler Style in Yakuza 0 is referred to as Chinpira Style in Japanese, referencing his status.

Expulsion vs. Exile/Banishment - "Hamonjo" is an early-game declaration of leaving the clan, approved by a lieutenant, which severs ties to the organization, making the recipient a civilian. "Hamonjo" can be reversed. A more severe, irreversible form is "zetsuenjo," where even associating with yakuza members results in severe hostilities.

Family - In the yakuza context, a "family" ("-kai" or "-gumi") is an organization headed by a patriarch. Families may focus on a specific business or control entire neighborhoods. They can range from small and low-influence to large and powerful, with long histories. Prominent families like the Kazama, Dojima, or Shimano families have seats at Tojo HQ to discuss policy with the chairman. Smaller families can operate unnoticed if they maintain their place.

Gokudo - Literally meaning "the ultimate path," this term is commonly used by yakuza members to refer to themselves as "gangsters." When subtitles say "yakuza," characters might actually be saying "gokudo." Using this word often implies a favorable or honorable view of their organization.

Honorifics - Japanese honorifics are more hierarchical than Western titles like "Mister." Almost everyone is addressed with an honorific. In Yakuza 0, men are typically referred to by their family name (e.g., Kiryu, Majima, Dojima), while women are often referred to by their given name (e.g., Makoto, Reina, Marina). Omitting an honorific usually signifies extreme closeness or intentional rudeness.

• -chan - A diminutive honorific, often used by adults for children. It can imply "My dear" or "Little." While boys typically transition to "-kun," girls may retain "-chan" into adulthood. In Pocket Circuit, PCF uses first names with honorifics, addressing all women as "-chan" to disregard age.
• -han - A variation of "-san" used in the Kansai regional dialect. Its use implies the speaker is from the Kansai region. Majima, who is from Kansai, has a slight accent.