Inklingo

How to Say "crew" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “crew” is “equipo” — use 'equipo' for any group of people working together on a specific task or project, like a film crew or a sports team..

equipo🔊A1

Use 'equipo' for any group of people working together on a specific task or project, like a film crew or a sports team.

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tripulaciónB1

Use 'tripulación' specifically for the staff or personnel working aboard a vehicle such as a ship, airplane, or spacecraft.

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brigada🔊B1

Use 'brigada' for an organized group of workers, especially those performing a specific service like a cleaning crew or a fire brigade.

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pandilla🔊A2

Use 'pandilla' for a small, close-knit group of friends, often used informally.

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banda🔊B1

Use 'banda' for a group, often with a negative connotation like a gang, but can also refer to a group of musicians.

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escuadrónB2

Use 'escuadrón' for a specialized, organized team, often military or for specific operations like a rescue squad.

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tribu🔊B2

Use 'tribu' informally to refer to a close group of friends, similar to 'pandilla' but often implying a shared identity or history.

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English → Spanish

equipo

/eh-KEE-poh//eˈkipo/

NounA1General
Use 'equipo' for any group of people working together on a specific task or project, like a film crew or a sports team.
Three cheerful cartoon figures wearing matching blue uniforms collaborating to lift a large, bright yellow star, symbolizing teamwork.

Examples

El equipo de filmación llegó temprano.

The film crew arrived early.

Mi equipo de fútbol favorito juega hoy.

My favorite soccer team plays today.

Trabajamos muy bien como equipo en la oficina.

We work very well as a team at the office.

El equipo de rescate ayudó a los montañistas.

The rescue team helped the mountaineers.

Always Masculine: 'El Equipo'

'Equipo' is a masculine word, so you always use 'el' or 'un' with it. This is true even if the team is made up of all women. For example, 'el equipo femenino' (the women's team).

'Equipo' vs. 'Grupo'

Mistake: “Voy a la playa con mi equipo de amigos.”

Correction: Voy a la playa con mi grupo de amigos. 'Equipo' implies people working together for a common goal (like winning a game or finishing a project). 'Grupo' is just a general collection of people.

tripulación

NounB1General
Use 'tripulación' specifically for the staff or personnel working aboard a vehicle such as a ship, airplane, or spacecraft.

Examples

La tripulación del barco nos dio la bienvenida.

The ship's crew welcomed us.

brigada

/bree-GAH-dah//bɾiˈɣaða/

NounB1General
Use 'brigada' for an organized group of workers, especially those performing a specific service like a cleaning crew or a fire brigade.
An illustration showing three diverse individuals collaborating happily around a table with a simple blueprint, symbolizing a work team.

Examples

La brigada de bomberos apagó el incendio rápidamente.

The fire brigade put out the fire quickly.

La brigada de limpieza llegó a las seis de la mañana.

The cleaning crew arrived at six in the morning.

Necesitamos una brigada de voluntarios para pintar la escuela.

We need a team of volunteers to paint the school.

El jefe de brigada revisó el plan de trabajo.

The team leader reviewed the work plan.

Feminine Noun

Even though a 'brigada' is often made up of men and women, the word itself is always feminine, so you must use 'la brigada' or 'una brigada'.

pandilla

pahn-DEE-yah/panˈdiʎa/

NounA2Informal
Use 'pandilla' for a small, close-knit group of friends, often used informally.
A diverse group of three friends smiling and walking together in a sunny park, sharing a joke.

Examples

Voy a salir con mi pandilla esta noche.

I'm going out with my crew tonight.

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.

Always Feminine

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

banda

/BAHN-dah//ˈbanda/

NounB1Informal/General
Use 'banda' for a group, often with a negative connotation like a gang, but can also refer to a group of musicians.
A group of three figures wearing dark clothing and masks, huddled together secretly.

Examples

Una banda de ladrones fue arrestada.

A gang of thieves was arrested.

La policía desmanteló una banda dedicada al robo de coches.

The police broke up a gang dedicated to car theft.

Toda la banda se reunió para ver el partido en casa de Lucas.

The whole crew (or 'bunch of friends') met up to watch the game at Lucas's house.

escuadrón

NounB2Formal/Specific
Use 'escuadrón' for a specialized, organized team, often military or for specific operations like a rescue squad.

Examples

El escuadrón de policía llegó a la escena.

The police squad arrived at the scene.

tribu

TREE-boo/ˈtɾiβu/

NounB2Informal
Use 'tribu' informally to refer to a close group of friends, similar to 'pandilla' but often implying a shared identity or history.
A dense mass of many indistinct people packed tightly together, forming a large, colorful crowd filling a public space.

Examples

Me encanta pasar tiempo con mi tribu.

I love spending time with my crew.

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

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

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

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

Metaphorical Use

In modern Spanish, 'tribu' often implies a sense of deep loyalty and shared identity, much like the English phrase 'my people' or 'my crew'.

Friends vs. Workers

The most common confusion is between words for groups of friends ('pandilla', 'tribu', 'banda') and words for work teams ('equipo', 'brigada', 'tripulación'). Remember that 'equipo' is the most general term for any work group, while 'tripulación' is specific to vehicles.

Related Translations

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