Inklingo
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A simple, colorful storybook illustration showing a cohesive group of ten diverse stylized figures, including adults and children, standing closely together on a patch of grass.

clan

klan

nounmB2
clan?large family or tribal group,clique?exclusive social group
Also:faction?political group,tribe?historical context

📝 In Action

El viejo jefe del clan familiar decidió vender las tierras.

B2

The old chief of the family clan decided to sell the lands.

Hay un clan de programadores muy influyente en esa empresa.

C1

There is a very influential clique of programmers in that company.

Los clanes escoceses tienen una historia rica y compleja.

B2

Scottish clans have a rich and complex history.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • jefe del clan – clan leader/chief
  • clan político – political faction/clan

💡 Grammar Points

Gender Rule

Even though 'clan' ends in 'n' and refers to a group, it is a masculine noun. Always use 'el' or 'un' before it: 'el clan'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Misgendering the Noun

Mistake: "La clan es muy grande."

Correction: El clan es muy grande. Remember to use the masculine article 'el'.

⭐ Usage Tips

Formal vs. Informal

While 'clan' can refer to historical tribes, it's often used metaphorically in modern Spanish to describe powerful, tight-knit, and sometimes secretive groups of friends or colleagues (a clique).

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: clan

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'clan' correctly?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

familiar(family/familiar) - adjective
parentesco(kinship) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'clan' used often in everyday conversation?

It is used, but perhaps not as frequently as 'grupo' or 'familia.' When 'clan' is used, it often emphasizes the strong, exclusive, or tribal nature of the group, especially in news reports or commentary.

Does 'clan' always refer to a family?

No. While its historical meaning is related to family and lineage, today it is often used metaphorically to describe any group of people who stick together very closely and share common goals, like a political faction or a clique of friends.