pandillero
/pandiˈʝeɾo/
The English phrase "gang member" is translated into Spanish as pandillero.
The term is used to describe a person who belongs to a gang, which is typically a group of criminals.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Central America, particularly in El Salvador and Honduras, the informal terms Marero/a are often used to refer to gang members.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun is gendered. Use the feminine form pandillera to refer to a female gang member. For a group of gang members or a mixed-gender group, use the plural form pandilleros.
How do you pronounce it?
/pandiˈʝeɾo/
Did you know?
- In certain regions, a pandilla can refer to a small band of musicians.
- The term marero comes from the names of the largest gangs in Central America, the Mara Salvatrucha and Mara 18, where mara is a slang term for a group.
- The suffix -ero in pandillero is the same one used to turn words into professions, such as in panadero for 'baker' or ingeniero for 'engineer'.
Examples in context
- La policía arrestó a varios pandilleros durante el operativo.The police arrested several gang members during the operation.
- El pandillero huyó de la policía.The gang member fled from the police.
- Ese hombre es un pandillero peligroso.That man is a dangerous gang member.
- Varios pandilleros fueron arrestados anoche.Several gang members were arrested last night.
Example conversation
Daniel and María are discussing a news report.
- DanielMira, arrestaron a un pandillero.Look, they arrested a gang member.
- MaríaEspero que la ciudad sea segura.I hope the city is safe.
- DanielEse pandillero era muy famoso.That gang member was very famous.
- MaríaAhora está en la cárcel, Daniel.Now he is in jail, Daniel.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry pandillero, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
