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tribu

TREE-boo/ˈtɾiβu/

“tribu” means “tribe” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

tribe

Also: clan
NounfB1
A group of five smiling figures, representing a tribe, wearing simple matching traditional garments made of woven natural fibers, standing together in a lush green jungle clearing.

📝 In Action

Las antiguas tribus se dedicaban a la caza y la recolección.

B1

The ancient tribes were dedicated to hunting and gathering.

El gobierno reconoció los derechos territoriales de la tribu indígena.

B2

The government recognized the territorial rights of the indigenous tribe.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • jefe de la tribu – tribe chief

crowd, crew

Also: following
NounfB2informal
A dense mass of many indistinct people packed tightly together, forming a large, colorful crowd filling a public space.

📝 In Action

Me voy de vacaciones con mi tribu de amigos de la universidad.

B2

I'm going on vacation with my crew of friends from the university.

Cada uno tiene su propia tribu urbana: los góticos, los hipsters...

C1

Everyone has their own urban tribe (subculture): the Goths, the hipsters...

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • mi tribu – my people/my group

Idioms & Expressions

  • la tribu familiar – the whole extended family/all the relatives

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "tribu" in Spanish:

clan→crew→crowd→following→tribe→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: tribu

Question 1 of 2

¿Cuál es el artículo correcto para usar con 'tribu'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
tribal(tribal) — Adjective
tribuno(tribune (historical official)) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
tabúbambú
📚 Etymology▼

The word comes from the Latin word *tribus*. Originally, this referred to one of the three main divisions of the Roman people. Over time, it grew to mean any distinct group or division of people.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: triboItalian: tribù

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'tribu' always feminine, even if it refers to a group of men?

Yes, 'tribu' is grammatically a feminine noun (la tribu), regardless of the gender of the people within the group. The word itself determines the gender of the articles and adjectives used with it.

Can I use 'tribu' to mean 'team' or 'squad'?

While 'tribu' implies a strong bond, 'equipo' (team) or 'escuadrón' (squad) are better and more direct translations for organized sports or work groups. Use 'tribu' when emphasizing shared culture, lifestyle, or deep friendship.