匪徒
fěitú
The English word "gangster" is translated into Mandarin as 匪徒 (fěitú). Wiktionary also lists 土匪 (tǔfěi).
Meaning: street gang member (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mandarin | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 匪徒 | fěitú |
| 土匪 | tǔfěi |
匪徒 is used to describe a gangster or an outlaw. It is a term frequently found in news reports or more formal contexts to describe criminals and members of organized gangs.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 匪徒 is composed of 匪, meaning bandit or rebel and 徒, meaning follower, member or person.
Which one should you use?
While 匪徒 is a general term for an outlaw or gangster, 土匪 specifically refers to a local or rural bandit.
How do you pronounce it?
fěitú
Did you know?
- The character 匪 was historically used to label political rebels as 'bandits' to strip them of legitimacy in official imperial records. This turns a word for 'gangster' into a tool of political branding.
- The component 徒 (tú) in these words is the same character used to mean 'apprentice' or 'disciple', implying that the 'gangster' is a follower or subordinate within a specific group.
- In modern Chinese pop culture, the term 黑社会 is often used instead of 匪徒 to describe the 'underworld' or organized crime syndicates, literally meaning 'black society'.
Examples in context
- 最近逮捕了一名黑帮分子。Recently, a gangster was arrested.
- 小心那个黑社会成员。Be careful of that gangster.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a crime movie they just watched.
- 浩然 Haoran这部电影里的匪徒太可怕了。Zhè bù diànyǐng lǐ de fěitú tài kěpà le.The gangsters in this movie are too scary.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen是的，他们非常残忍。Shì de, tāmen fēicháng cánrěn.Yes, they are very cruel.
- 浩然 Haoran你觉得最后谁赢了？Nǐ juéde zuìhòu shéi yíng le?Who do you think won in the end?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen当然是警察抓住了他们。Dāngrán shì jǐngchá zhuā zhù le tāmen.Of course the police caught them.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “gangster” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
