French Conversation · Level 7
87 words
French word
gang
Pronunciation
IPA/gɑ̃g/
Meaning
- masculine noungang
Example
Le gang a attaqué la bijouterie hier soir.
The gang attacked the jewelry store last night.
More examples
La police a infiltré le gang.
The police infiltrated the gang.
Core concept
A compact group whose shared purpose is illegal action or violence.
Common phrases
un gang de voleurs
a gang of thieves
membre d'un gang
a member of a gang
chef de gang
a gang leader
Similar words
bande: A small group of companions who act together.
groupe: A general term for several people forming a collective.
clan: A group bound by family ties or strong personal connections.
mafia: A highly secretive criminal organization involved in organized crime.
Definition in French
Groupe restreint de personnes liées par des activités illégales ou violentes.
Word origin
The French noun gang comes from English gang, a word with Old English roots that broadened from movement to a group and eventually to a criminal group.
Usage tips
- Gang strongly suggests an organized or threatening group in French, whereas bande is broader and can describe less serious groups.