pandilla

/pahn-DEE-yah/

group of friends

A diverse group of three friends smiling and walking together in a sunny park, sharing a joke.

A casual 'pandilla' is often just a close-knit group of friends enjoying time together.

pandilla(noun)

fA2

group of friends

casual setting

crew

informal, close-knit group

Also:

bunch (of people)

general group

📝 In Action

Mi pandilla y yo vamos al cine todos los viernes.

My group of friends and I go to the movies every Friday.

Éramos una pandilla de niños jugando en el parque hasta tarde.

We were a bunch of kids playing in the park until late.

Word Connections

Synonyms

grupo (group)
círculo de amigos (circle of friends)

Common Collocations

pandilla de la infancia – childhood group of friends
salir en pandilla – to go out as a group

💡 Grammar Points

Always Feminine

Remember that 'pandilla' is always treated as feminine (la pandilla), even if the group consists only of men.

⭐ Usage Tips

Positive/Neutral Use

In many Spanish-speaking regions, especially when talking about youth or friends, 'pandilla' is a perfectly neutral or affectionate way to refer to your usual companions.

A small, intimidating group of four figures standing closely together in a dimly lit alleyway, looking serious and unified.

In a more formal or negative context, 'pandilla' refers to an organized gang or criminal group.

pandilla(noun)

fB1

gang

criminal organization

Also:

mob

organized criminal group

📝 In Action

La policía capturó al líder de la pandilla.

The police captured the leader of the gang.

Hubo un enfrentamiento entre dos pandillas rivales en el barrio.

There was a confrontation between two rival gangs in the neighborhood.

Word Connections

Synonyms

banda (gang/band)
tribu urbana (urban tribe (youth group))

Common Collocations

pandilla callejera – street gang
miembro de la pandilla – gang member

⭐ Usage Tips

Context is Key

If you hear 'pandilla' used in the news or with words like 'crímenes' (crimes) or 'violencia' (violence), it definitely refers to a criminal gang, not just friends.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: pandilla

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'pandilla' in its most negative sense?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

pandillero(gang member (male)) - noun

pandillera(gang member (female)) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'pandilla' a bad word?

'Pandilla' is a neutral word that simply means 'group.' However, because it is often used in the media to describe criminal organizations, it can carry a negative feeling, similar to how 'crew' can mean friends or a criminal group in English. You must judge the meaning by the context!

Can I use 'pandilla' to talk about my adult friends?

Absolutely. While it is often associated with childhood or youth, you can use it informally to refer to your regular group of adult friends or colleagues, especially if you feel close to them.