German word

Bande

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈbandə/

Meaning

  • feminine noungang

Example

Die Polizei verhaftete gestern die Bande.

The police arrested the gang yesterday.

Illustration for Bande (gang)

More examples

Die Bande plante einen Überfall auf das Schmuckgeschäft.

The gang planned a robbery at the jewelry store.

Core concept

Several people move together under one illicit plan, forming a threatening group rather than a neutral gathering.

Common phrases

  • eine Bande von Dieben

    a gang of thieves

Similar words

Gruppe: A neutral group of people acting or gathered together.
Clique: A close, exclusive circle of friends.

Definition in German

Bande bezeichnet eine kleine Gruppe von Personen, die gemeinsam kriminelle Handlungen begehen.

Word origin

German borrowed Bande from French bande, whose Germanic origin is associated with a band or connected group.

Usage tips

  • Bande normally has a negative criminal meaning, whereas Gruppe is the neutral word for a group of people.

Opposites

  • Einzelpersonindividualnoun
  • Einzelgängerlonernoun

Related words

  • Bandenführergang leadernoun
  • Bandenkriminalitätgang crimenoun

Word lists with this word