Inklingo

How to Say "tribe" in Spanish

English → Spanish

tribu

TREE-boo/ˈtɾiβu/

nounB1general
Use 'tribu' when referring to an ethnic, cultural, or indigenous group, especially in historical or anthropological contexts.
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.

Examples

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

The ancient tribes were dedicated to hunting and gathering.

El gobierno reconoció los derechos territoriales de la tribu indígena.

The government recognized the territorial rights of the indigenous tribe.

Feminine Noun Rule

Even though 'tribu' ends in the vowel 'u', it is always feminine. You must use the feminine article 'la' or 'una' before it.

Incorrect Gender

Mistake: “El tribu es grande.”

Correction: La tribu es grande. (Remember it is feminine, even if it refers to a group of people.)

clan

/klan//klan/

nounB2historical, familial
Use 'clan' to refer to a close-knit group, often a family or a historical lineage, emphasizing shared ancestry or close social ties.
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.

Examples

El viejo jefe del clan familiar decidió vender las tierras.

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

Hay un clan de programadores muy influyente en esa empresa.

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

Los clanes escoceses tienen una historia rica y compleja.

Scottish clans have a rich and complex history.

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'.

Misgendering the Noun

Mistake: “La clan es muy grande.”

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

Tribu vs. Clan

Learners often use 'clan' when they mean 'tribu'. Remember that 'tribu' is the standard term for indigenous or ethnic groups, while 'clan' is more specific to family or historical lineage groups.

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