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bandas

BAHN-dahs/ˈbandas/

bands

Also: orchestras
NounfA1
A group of three cartoon animals, a rabbit playing a guitar, a bear playing drums, and a fox singing into a microphone, standing together on a small stage.

📝 In Action

Las bandas de rock vendieron todos los boletos.

A1

The rock bands sold all the tickets.

Hay muchas bandas tocando en el festival este fin de semana.

A2

There are many bands playing at the festival this weekend.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • grupos (groups)
  • conjuntos (ensembles)

Common Collocations

  • bandas sonoras – soundtracks (literally 'sound bands')
  • bandas de guerra – military marching bands

strips, belts

Also: sashes
NounfB1
Three long, narrow, colorful strips of fabric, one red, one blue, and one yellow, laid out side by side on a plain white surface.

📝 In Action

Necesitamos bandas nuevas para la máquina de gimnasio.

B1

We need new belts for the gym machine (treadmill, etc.).

Las bandas de tela decoraban el salón.

B2

The strips of cloth decorated the hall.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • bandas transportadoras – conveyor belts

sides, factions

Also: gangs
NounfB2
Mexico
Two distinct groups of four cartoon characters, one group wearing blue shirts and the other group wearing red shirts, standing across a clear dividing line from each other, indicating opposing sides.

📝 In Action

Las bandas rivales se enfrentaron en la calle.

B2

The rival gangs faced off in the street.

Ambas bandas en el parlamento buscan un acuerdo.

C1

Both sides in parliament are looking for an agreement.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • lados (sides)
  • partidos (parties (political))

Idioms & Expressions

  • por bandas – in groups or in separate sides

(you) band together

Also: (you) conspire
VerbC2regular ararchaic/slang
Three small cartoon figures, a boy, a girl, and a cat, standing close together and linking arms in a sign of unity and cooperation.
infinitivebandar
gerundbandando
past Participlebandado

📝 In Action

Si tú bandas con esa gente, tendrás problemas.

C2

If you band together with those people, you will have problems. (Highly regional/archaic usage)

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedbanda
yobando
túbandas
ellos/ellas/ustedesbandan
nosotrosbandamos
vosotrosbandáis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedbandaba
yobandaba
túbandabas
ellos/ellas/ustedesbandaban
nosotrosbandábamos
vosotrosbandabais

preterite

él/ella/ustedbandó
yobandé
túbandaste
ellos/ellas/ustedesbandaron
nosotrosbandamos
vosotrosbandasteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedbande
yobande
túbandes
ellos/ellas/ustedesbanden
nosotrosbandemos
vosotrosbandéis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedbandara/bandase
yobandara/bandase
túbandaras/bandases
ellos/ellas/ustedesbandaran/bandasen
nosotrosbandáramos/bandásemos
vosotrosbandarais/bandaseis
View All Tenses & Moods →

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✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: bandas

Question 1 of 2

Which English translation is NOT appropriate for 'bandas'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
banda(band, strip, side) — Noun
bandar(to band together (archaic)) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
andasmandas
📚 Etymology▼

The word comes from the Gothic word *bandwa*, meaning 'standard' or 'banner.' This origin explains both meanings: a 'strip' of cloth (the banner) and a 'group' of people (those following the banner).

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

French: bandeEnglish: band

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'bandas' masculine or feminine?

As a noun, 'bandas' is always feminine plural, meaning you use feminine articles and adjectives with it (e.g., 'Las bandas famosas').

How do I know if 'bandas' means a musical group or a gang?

Context is everything! If you hear references to concerts, instruments, or albums, it means a musical group. If you hear references to police, territory, or crime, it means a gang or faction.