Japanese word

ギャング

Pronunciation

Romajigyangu

Meaning

  • noungang

Example

その映画にはギャングが登場します。so no ei ga ni wa gya n gu ga tō jō shi ma su

A gang appears in the movie.

Illustration for ギャング (gang)

More examples

警察は町に潜むギャングの動きを注意深く調べています。kei satsu wa machi ni hiso mu gya n gu no ugo ki o chū i fuka ku shira be te i ma su

The police are carefully investigating the activities of a gang hiding in the town.

Core concept

Describes an organized group whose members cooperate in criminal activity.

Common phrases

  • ギャングの一員gya n gu no ichi in

    a gang member

  • ギャングを率いるgya n gu o hiki i ru

    lead a gang

Similar words

犯罪組織hanzaisoshiki: An organized group that plans and carries out criminal activities.
暴力団bōryokudan: An organized group involved in crime, often using violence or threats.
一味ichimi: A group of people who work together in a crime or illegal plan.

Definition in Japanese

犯罪などを目的に結成された集団。han zai na do o moku teki ni kes sei sa re ta shū dan

Word origin

ギャング (gyangu) was borrowed from English gang; gang traces back to Old Norse gangr, meaning "a journey" or "a way," before it came to mean a group of people.

Usage tips

  • English uses gang beyond crime, including for a group of workers who share a task, while Japanese ギャング (gyangu) commonly suggests criminals.

Word lists with this word