Capo vs. Don — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 29, 2024
A capo is a high-ranking member of a crime syndicate, overseeing a division or territory, while a don is the leader of an entire organization, embodying authority and respect.
Difference Between Capo and Don
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Capos, also known as captains or lieutenants in mafia organizations, command specific territories or activities, ensuring operations run smoothly and efficiently. They report to the underboss or directly to the boss, depending on the organization's structure. On the other hand, a don is the head of a crime family, wielding ultimate power and making strategic decisions that affect the family's direction and welfare. The respect and authority a don commands are unparalleled within the organization.
While capos are integral to the daily operations and profitability of the crime syndicate, handling tasks such as extortion, loan sharking, and protection rackets, a don focuses on high-level strategies, alliances, and major disputes. This separation of responsibilities ensures the organization's stability and growth.
Capos often have their own crew of soldiers and associates to carry out orders and maintain control over their designated areas. Whereas a don directly oversees the family's administration, appointing positions and promoting members based on loyalty and achievements.
In terms of hierarchy, capos are positioned below the underboss and consigliere in a typical mafia structure, making them crucial middle management within the organization. In contrast, the don sits at the pinnacle of the organizational pyramid, embodying the ultimate authority.
Capos are selected based on their leadership qualities, ability to earn, and loyalty to the family, while a don is often chosen through bloodlines or demonstrated power and influence within the family and the broader criminal world.
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Comparison Chart
Rank
High-ranking member, below the underboss.
Leader of the entire organization.
Responsibilities
Oversees specific territories or activities.
Makes strategic decisions for the organization.
Authority
Commands soldiers and associates within their area.
Wields ultimate power over the entire family.
Selection
Based on leadership qualities and ability to earn.
Often chosen through bloodlines or demonstrated power.
Role
Integral to daily operations and profitability.
Focuses on high-level strategy and major disputes.
Compare with Definitions
Capo
Capos oversee the operations of their own crew, ensuring revenue flows upward.
As a capo, he held weekly meetings to collect earnings from his subordinates.
Don
They are chosen through bloodlines or demonstrated power and influence, embodying the ultimate authority in the family.
After the former don retired, his son was chosen to lead, continuing the family's legacy.
Capo
A capo is a high-ranking member of a mafia or crime syndicate responsible for a specific territory or activity.
The capo managed the illegal gambling operations in the city's east end.
Don
The position of a don is often associated with a sense of honor and respect, both within and outside the organization.
At social events, the don was always treated with the highest respect.
Capo
They report directly to the underboss or the boss, depending on the organization's hierarchy.
The capo was summoned to report the quarterly earnings directly to the boss.
Don
Dons make strategic decisions affecting the family's welfare and direction.
The don negotiated alliances with other families to expand their influence.
Capo
Capos are chosen based on their ability to earn, loyalty, and leadership qualities.
His reputation for loyalty and efficiency soon earned him the position of a capo.
Don
Dons oversee the entire family, including its administration, strategic decisions, and high-level disputes.
The don resolved the dispute between two capos, maintaining peace within the family.
Capo
They play a critical role in the mafia's structure, acting as the bridge between the leadership and the rank-and-file members.
The capo ensured that the boss's orders were executed precisely, maintaining order and discipline within his crew.
Don
A don is the head of a crime family, commanding respect and authority within the organization.
The don decided the territories each capo would control, maintaining balance and order.
Capo
A capo (short for capodastro, capo tasto or capotasto [kapoˈtasto], Italian for "head of fretboard") is a device a musician uses on the neck of a stringed (typically fretted) instrument to transpose and shorten the playable length of the strings—hence raising the pitch. It is a common tool for players of guitars, mandolins, mandolas, banjos, ukuleles and bouzoukis.
Don
Don (also dōn) Used as a courtesy title before the name of a man in a Spanish-speaking area.
Capo
A small movable bar placed across the fingerboard of a guitar or similar instrument so as to raise the pitch of all the strings uniformly.
Don
A head, tutor, or fellow at a college of Oxford or Cambridge.
Capo
The head of a branch of an organized crime syndicate.
Don
A college or university professor.
Capo
A movable bar placed across the fingerboard of a guitar used to raise the pitch of all strings.
Don
The leader of an organized-crime family.
Capo
A leader in the Mafia; a caporegime.
Don
(Archaic) An important personage.
Capo
A leader and organizer of supporters at a sporting event, particularly association football matches.
Don
To put on (clothing or an ornament, for example)
Donned long gloves for the costume party.
Don clown make-up for the performance.
Capo
The head of a branch of an organized crime syndicate
Don
To assume or take on
Donned the air of the injured party.
Don
A university professor, particularly one at Oxford or Cambridge.
Don
An employee of a university residence who lives among the student residents.
Don
A mafia boss.
Don
(MLE) Any man, bloke, dude.
Don
(transitive) To put on clothing; to dress (oneself) in an article of personal attire.
To don one's clothes.
Don
Sir; Mr; Signior; - a title in Spain, formerly given to noblemen and gentlemen only, but now common to all classes.
Don is used in Italy, though not so much as in Spain. France talks of Dom Calmet, England of Dan Lydgate.
Don
A grand personage, or one making pretension to consequence; especially, the head of a college, or one of the fellows at the English universities.
Don
To put on; to dress in; to invest one's self with.
Should I don this robe and trouble you.
At night, or in the rain,He dons a surcoat which he doffs at morn.
Don
A Spanish title of respect for a gentleman or nobleman
Don
Teacher at a university of college (especially at Cambridge or Oxford)
Don
The head of an organized crime family
Don
Celtic goddess; mother of Gwydion and Arianrhod; corresponds to Irish Danu
Don
A European river in southwestern Russia; flows into the Sea of Azov
Don
Put clothing on one's body;
What should I wear today?
He put on his best suit for the wedding
The princess donned a long blue dress
The queen assumed the stately robes
He got into his jeans
Common Curiosities
Can a capo become a don?
Yes, a capo can become a don if they demonstrate exceptional leadership, earn significant respect, and have the backing of the organization.
What is a capo in the mafia?
A capo is a high-ranking member of a crime syndicate responsible for overseeing specific activities or territories.
Can there be multiple capos in a crime family?
Yes, there are usually multiple capos, each responsible for different territories or aspects of the family's operations.
How is a don chosen in a mafia organization?
A don is often chosen through bloodlines or based on demonstrated power, influence, and respect within and outside the family.
How does one become a capo?
One becomes a capo through demonstration of leadership qualities, ability to earn, and loyalty to the organization.
What are the main responsibilities of a capo?
A capo's main responsibilities include managing their crew, ensuring operations within their territory run smoothly, and overseeing illegal activities to generate revenue.
What happens if a capo fails in their duties?
If a capo fails in their duties, they can be demoted, replaced, or in extreme cases, face severe consequences from the organization.
Who does a capo report to within the mafia hierarchy?
Capos report directly to the underboss or the boss, depending on the organization's structure.
Do capos have their own crews?
Yes, capos have their own crews of soldiers and associates to carry out orders and manage operations within their territories.
What are the key qualities of a don?
Key qualities include leadership, strategic thinking, respect within the criminal and legitimate communities, and the ability to maintain the organization's welfare and direction.
What distinguishes a don from a capo?
A don is the head of the entire crime family with ultimate authority, while a capo oversees specific activities or territories under the family's umbrella.
How does a don maintain authority over the family?
A don maintains authority through strategic decision-making, respect earned from both criminal and legitimate spheres, and ensuring the family's prosperity and security.
What role do capos play in the mafia's revenue generation?
Capos play a critical role in revenue generation through illegal activities such as extortion, loan sharking, and protection rackets within their territories.
Is the title of don hereditary?
While not always, the title of don can be hereditary, especially in families where leadership is passed down through bloodlines.
Can a don directly oversee a territory like a capo does?
While a don has ultimate authority over all territories, they typically do not directly oversee a territory, delegating such responsibilities to capos.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
