gang
/ɡɑ̃ɡ/masculine
The English phrase 'gang' can be translated into French as gang or bande.
Meaning: group of criminals who band together for mutual protection (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| gang | /ɡɑ̃ɡ/ (France) /ɡaŋ/ (Canada) |
masculine |
| bande | /bɑ̃d/ | feminine |
The term is used to describe a group of criminals who band together for mutual protection.
Which one should you use?
The masculine form gang is often used in a more formal, journalistic or police context to refer to organized criminal groups. In contrast, the feminine form bande is more common in colloquial speech and can refer to a group of friends or a group of people acting together, not just criminals.
How does it change in a sentence?
gang is a masculine noun, while bande is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡɑ̃ɡ/
Did you know?
- While bande can mean a group of friends, in a completely different context it is the common French word for 'strip' or 'ribbon', as in une bande dessinée for a comic strip.
- The word bande shares a common ancestor with the English verb 'bind'. They both stem from the idea of joining things together, such as a 'band' of people or a 'bind' of materials.
- The French term bande originally referred to a military regiment or a structured troop of soldiers before it took on its more casual or criminal meanings.
Examples in context
- Toute la bande est là.The gang is all here.This sentence shows how to use bande to refer to the whole group.Tatoeba #4869104 by sacredceltic, translation #2547640 by CK
- Yanni fait partie d'un gang.Yanni was in a gang.This sentence shows how to use gang to describe someone being part of a criminal group.Tatoeba #11756614 by Amastan, translation #10041126 by Amastan
- Tu fais désormais partie de la bande.You're part of the gang now.This sentence shows how to use bande to indicate someone is now part of a group.Tatoeba #4195770 by sacredceltic, translation #3729311 by CM
- La police a démantelé un groupe criminelThe police dismantled a criminal gang.
- Les autorités ont arrêté une bande de criminelsThe authorities arrested a criminal gang.
- Je suis membre d'une bande de copainsI am a member of a group of friends.
- Nous sommes une joyeuse troupe d'amisWe are a cheerful gang of friends.
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a news report about city crime.
- ChloéUn gang contrôle tout le quartier.A gang controls the whole neighborhood.
- HugoC'est vraiment effrayant pour les habitants.That is really scary for the residents.
- ChloéLe chef de ce gang est recherché.The leader of this gang is wanted.
- HugoJ'espère que la police va agir.I hope the police will act.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “gang” translations and entries gang, bande, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bande, gang, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
