Inklingo

How to Say "gang" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “gang” is “banda” — use 'banda' for a general criminal group or organization, often involved in illegal activities like theft or smuggling.

banda🔊B1

Use 'banda' for a general criminal group or organization, often involved in illegal activities like theft or smuggling.

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pandilla🔊B1

Choose 'pandilla' for a criminal organization, often implying a more structured or territorial group than 'banda'.

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tropa🔊B1

Use 'tropa' informally to refer to a group of friends or kids, especially when they arrive together unexpectedly.

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panda🔊B2

Use 'panda' to describe a close-knit group of friends or associates you hang out with regularly.

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cartel🔊B2

Select 'cartel' specifically for a large, powerful, and highly organized criminal syndicate, most commonly a drug cartel.

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mara🔊B2

Use 'mara' when referring to specific, organized street gangs originating from Central America.

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anillo🔊C1

Employ 'anillo' for a criminal group that operates like a network or ring, often involved in specific illicit trades like art or smuggling.

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manada🔊C1

Use 'manada' to describe a large, unruly, and often aggressive group of people behaving like a herd, not necessarily criminal.

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English → Spanish

banda

BAHN-dahˈbanda

NounB1General
Use 'banda' for a general criminal group or organization, often involved in illegal activities like theft or smuggling.
A group of three figures wearing dark clothing and masks, huddled together secretly.

Examples

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.

pandilla

pahn-DEE-yahpanˈdiʎa

NounB1General
Choose 'pandilla' for a criminal organization, often implying a more structured or territorial group than 'banda'.
A small, intimidating group of four figures standing closely together in a dimly lit alleyway, looking serious and unified.

Examples

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.

tropa

tro-pahˈtɾopa

NounB1Informal
Use 'tropa' informally to refer to a group of friends or kids, especially when they arrive together unexpectedly.
A group of happy children playing together in a park.

Examples

Llegó toda la tropa a mi casa sin avisar.

The whole gang arrived at my house without warning.

¿A dónde vas con esa tropa de niños?

Where are you going with that bunch of kids?

Informal Groupings

Using 'tropa' for a group of friends implies they are a bit rowdy, noisy, or just numerous.

panda

PAN-dahˈpan.da

NounB2Informal
Use 'panda' to describe a close-knit group of friends or associates you hang out with regularly.
A small group of diverse children walking together with their arms around each other's shoulders.

Examples

Salí a cenar con toda mi panda.

I went out to dinner with my whole gang of friends.

Esa panda de gamberros siempre hace ruido.

That bunch of hooligans is always making noise.

No te juntes con esa panda, no son buena influencia.

Don't hang out with that crew; they aren't a good influence.

Singular Word, Multiple People

Even though 'panda' refers to a group of people, the word itself is singular. You should say 'la panda es...' not 'la panda son...'

Positive vs. Negative

Mistake: “Using it formally.”

Correction: This meaning of 'panda' is informal and can sometimes be insulting (like 'a bunch of...'). Use 'grupo' if you want to be polite.

cartel

kar-TELkaɾˈtel

NounB2Formal
Select 'cartel' specifically for a large, powerful, and highly organized criminal syndicate, most commonly a drug cartel.
A clandestine meeting of three figures wearing simple dark suits, standing close together and exchanging a plain black briefcase in a dimly lit, secretive setting.

Examples

Las autoridades lograron desmantelar el cartel de drogas.

The authorities managed to dismantle the drug cartel.

El líder del cartel fue capturado en la frontera.

The leader of the cartel was captured at the border.

Shared Terminology

This meaning is a cognate, meaning it sounds similar and has the same meaning in English. It refers to a powerful, often illegal, organization.

mara

mah-rahˈmaɾa

NounB2Specific
Use 'mara' when referring to specific, organized street gangs originating from Central America.
A group of young people standing together in a city alleyway wearing matching bandanas.

Examples

Las autoridades están trabajando para reducir la influencia de la mara.

The authorities are working to reduce the influence of the gang.

Muchos jóvenes intentan escapar de la mara en sus barrios.

Many young people try to escape the gang in their neighborhoods.

La palabra 'mara' tiene un peso muy fuerte en El Salvador.

The word 'mara' has a very strong weight in El Salvador.

Group Words

Even though a 'mara' consists of many people, the word itself is treated as a single thing. You use singular verbs with it: 'La mara es...' not 'La mara son...'

Confusing with 'Pandilla'

Mistake: “Using 'mara' to describe a small group of kids playing.”

Correction: Use 'pandilla' or 'grupito' for innocent groups; 'mara' usually implies serious organized crime in this context.

anillo

ah-NEE-yohaˈniʎo

NounC1Formal
Employ 'anillo' for a criminal group that operates like a network or ring, often involved in specific illicit trades like art or smuggling.
A group of three shadowy figures standing close together in a circle in a dark setting, suggesting a secretive criminal organization.

Examples

La policía desmanteló un anillo de contrabando de arte antiguo.

The police dismantled a ring for smuggling ancient art.

El anillo operaba desde un almacén abandonado en las afueras.

The syndicate operated from an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts.

manada

mah-NAH-dahmaˈnaða

NounC1Informal
Use 'manada' to describe a large, unruly, and often aggressive group of people behaving like a herd, not necessarily criminal.
A dense collection of many stylized, diverse human figures standing shoulder-to-shoulder, illustrating a large, unorganized crowd.

Examples

Una manada de turistas invadió la plaza, gritando y haciendo fotos.

A horde of tourists invaded the square, shouting and taking photos.

Se movieron como una manada, sin escuchar a nadie.

They moved like a pack (or mob), without listening to anyone.

Criminal vs. Friendly Groups

The most common confusion is between terms for criminal gangs (banda, pandilla, cartel) and terms for friendly groups (tropa, panda). Always consider if the group is involved in illegal activity; if not, 'tropa' or 'panda' are safer choices for friends.

Related Translations

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