banda de moteros
/banda de moteɾos/from spelling rules
The English phrase "biker gang" is translated into Spanish as banda de moteros.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of banda (gang or group), de (of) and moteros (bikers or motorcyclists).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
pandilla de moteros is a more colloquial way to refer to a gang or a group of youths. Additionally, Pandilla motera is an informal way to say biker gang.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, Pandilla de motoqueros is a common expression.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun banda is feminine. If you use an adjective to describe the gang, such as 'large', you would use the feminine form numerosa or the gender-neutral grande.
How do you pronounce it?
/banda de moteɾos/
Did you know?
- The word banda originally referred to a 'ribbon' or a strip of cloth in French before it came to mean a 'group' or 'gang'.
- While banda can mean 'gang', it is also the standard word for a 'musical band'.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, calling a group a banda can sound much more criminal than simply calling them a 'group' of people.
Examples in context
- Hace poco me metí en una pandilla de motos en mi barrio.I recently joined a biker gang in my neighborhood.
- ¿Conoce alguna pandilla de motociclistas por aquí?Do you know any biker gangs around here?
- Esa banda de moteros es muy peligrosa.That biker gang is very dangerous.
- Vi una banda de moteros en la carretera.I saw a biker gang on the highway.
- La policía persigue a la banda de moteros.The police are chasing the biker gang.
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are watching a news report on TV.
- Sofía¿Es esa una banda de moteros?Is that a biker gang?
- JavierSí, parece una banda de moteros muy grande.Yes, it looks like a very large biker gang.
- SofíaJavier, me da un poco de miedo.Javier, it scares me a little.
- JavierNo te preocupes, Sofía, estamos seguros aquí.Don't worry, Sofía, we are safe here.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries banda, de, CC BY-SA 4.0.
