Spanish Conversation · Level 81
60 words
Spanish word
pandilla
Pronunciation
IPA/panˈdiʝa/
Meaning
- feminine nounfriends
Example
Mi pandilla y yo vamos al cine.
My friends and I are going to the movies.
More examples
En la escuela formaron una pandilla para estudiar juntos.
At school they formed a group to study together.
Core concept
Tight informal group of friends.
Common phrases
mi pandilla
my pals
pandilla de amigos
circle of friends
pandilla juvenil
youth group
Similar words
grupo: General collection of people gathered together, a neutral, non-specific group.
banda: Group of associates often involved in delinquent or violent activity.
equipo: Organized team of people working together toward a common goal or task.
peña: Informal club of friends who meet around a shared hobby or cultural interest.
Definition in Spanish
Pequeño grupo de personas que actúan o socializan juntas, usado para círculos de amigos y, en usos más graves, para bandas organizadas.
Word origin
The word derives from Spanish panda 'group' plus the diminutive suffix -illa, originally meaning 'little group' and referring to a close circle of companions.
Usage tips
- 'Mi pandilla' emphasizes a close-knit set of buddies, while in formal speech 'grupo de amigos' is safer and in police or journalistic contexts pandilla often denotes a criminal gang.