عصابة
‘iṣābah
The Arabic word for gang is عصابة (‘iṣābah).
عصابة is a common and widely understood term used to describe a group of criminals involved in organized criminal activities.
Meaning: group of criminals who band together for mutual protection (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term شلة is used in various dialects to signify a group of people.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of عصابة is عصابات.
How do you pronounce it?
‘iṣābah
Did you know?
- In classical Arabic, the concept of عصبية (asabiyyah), derived from the same root as عصابة, describes a form of social solidarity or group cohesion essential for tribal survival.
- The root of عصابة is the same one used for the word 'nerve' or 'sinew' in Arabic, because a gang is seen as a group 'bound' together like a muscle.
- In a medical context, عصابة can specifically mean a bandage used to wrap a wound, showing the word's transition from a physical bind to a social bind.
Examples in context
- كان لليلى صديق ينتمي إلى عصابة.Layla had a gang boyfriend.This sentence is useful for showing how to describe someone belonging to a عصابة.Tatoeba #5896247 by OsoHombre, translation #5895529 by OsoHombre
- تعرّض توم للاختطاف من طرف عصابة محلّيّة.Tom was kidnapped by a local gang.This sentence shows how to say someone was kidnapped by a local عصابة.Tatoeba #11849323 by Amastan, translation #3925015 by Amastan
- تعرضت سيارة الشرطة لكمين نصبه لها أعضاء من عصابة محلية.The police car was ambushed by members of a local gang.This sentence illustrates how a police car might be ambushed by members of a عصابة.Tatoeba #11250800 by Amghar, translation #3925030 by Amastan
- تمكنت الشرطة من إلقاء القبض على عصابة خطيرة.The police managed to arrest a dangerous gang.
- تم الكشف عن وجود مجموعة عصابات تعمل في المنطقة.The presence of a group of gangs operating in the area has been uncovered.
- شرطة المدينة تقوم بمكافحة التنظيمات الإجرامية والعصابات.The city police are combating criminal organizations and gangs.
- شلة الشباب تسببت في إزعاج السكان.The youth gang caused a disturbance among the residents.
- دائمًا تجتمع مع عصابة الأولاد في الحديقة للعب الكرة.She always gathers with the boys' gang in the park to play ball.
- لديها عصابة مؤثرة من الأصدقاء في المدرسة.She has an influential clique of friends at school.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries عصابة, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
