turba
/ˈtuɾba/feminine
The English phrase 'mob' can be translated into Spanish as turba. Wiktionary also lists tropel and marabunta.
Meaning: unruly group of people (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| turba | /ˈtuɾba/ | feminine |
| tropel | /tɾoˈpel/ | feminine |
| marabunta | /maɾaˈbunta/ | feminine |
| maremágnum | /maɾeˈmaɡnum/ | masculine |
| patulea | /patulea/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| picanterío | /pikanteɾio/ (from spelling rules) | Chile, masculine |
| populacho | /popuˈlat͡ʃo/ | masculine |
| poblada | /poˈblada/ | feminine |
The term for a mob generally describes an unruly group of people. Depending on the context, you might use maremágnum to describe a large, confusing and disorganized mass of people or things. If you are referring to a crowd or a noisy commotion in Chile, use picanterío.
Which one should you use?
While turba refers to an unruly or violent mob, tropel emphasizes the noise and chaotic movement of a crowd.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
turba is a formal way to say mob. Conversely, populacho is a derogatory way to refer to a mob or a group of common people.
Is it said differently in some regions?
picanterío is a term used in Chile to describe a crowd or a commotion.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
turba is a feminine noun and requires feminine articles like la or una.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtuɾba/
Did you know?
- The word marabunta is actually an English loanword from Guyanese Creole. It entered Spanish via the Caribbean to describe a swarming mass, often used metaphorically for a mob.
- The term picanterío in Chile refers to a commotion and is derived from picantería, which is a traditional low-cost eatery.
- While turba is often used for violent crowds, it shares the same linguistic root as the English word 'turbulent'.
Examples in context
- La policía no pudo controlar a la turba.The police could not control the mob.This sentence shows how to use turba when discussing the police's inability to control a mob.Tatoeba #1343041 by marcelostockle, translation #681501 by Source_VOA
- La multitud se congregó frente al ayuntamientoThe mob gathered in front of the town hall
- La turba se manifestaba en las callesThe mob was demonstrating in the streets
- La muchedumbre se arremolinaba en torno al escenarioThe mob was swirling around the stage
- La turba corría por las calles estrechas.The mob was running through the narrow streets.
- Una turba enfurecida rodeó el edificio.An angry mob surrounded the building.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are watching the news on television.
- Alejandro¿Viste lo que pasó en la plaza?Did you see what happened in the plaza?
- ElenaSí, una turba causó mucho caos.Yes, a mob caused a lot of chaos.
- AlejandroElena, parece que la situación es peligrosa.Elena, it looks like the situation is dangerous.
- ElenaEs verdad, es muy preocupante.It's true, it is very worrying.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mob” translations and entries turba, tropel, marabunta, maremágnum, patulea, populacho, poblada, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries marabunta, maremágnum, tropel, turba, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
