Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'gang'

English Word: gang

Key Russian Translations:

• банда [ˈbandə] - [Informal, often carries a negative connotation, used for criminal or unruly groups]
• группа [ˈɡrupə] - [Neutral, Formal, used for organized or non-criminal groups]
• шайка [ˈʂajkə] - [Informal, Plural, typically implies a small, mischievous or criminal band]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in everyday language, especially in media, literature, and informal discussions about social groups or crime)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires basic understanding of Russian noun declensions and contexts, with 'банда' being slightly more challenging due to its negative nuances)

Pronunciation (Russian):

банда: [ˈbandə]

группа: [ˈɡrupə]

шайка: [ˈʂajkə] (Note on шайка: The 'ш' sound is a voiceless postalveolar fricative, similar to the 'sh' in 'sheep', which can be tricky for English speakers; stress on the first syllable.)

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A group of people, often associated with crime or antisocial behavior (e.g., a criminal gang)

Translation(s) & Context:

• банда - Used in informal or negative contexts, such as describing organized crime or street gangs in urban settings.
• шайка - Applied to smaller, informal groups with a playful or derogatory tone, like a band of thieves in stories.

Usage Examples:

• В городе появилась новая банда хулиганов, которые терроризируют жителей.

  In the city, a new gang of hooligans appeared, who terrorize the residents.

• Полиция разогнала шайку воров, которые грабили магазины по ночам.

  The police dispersed a gang of thieves who were robbing stores at night.

• Эта банда подростков всегда собирается в парке после школы.

  This gang of teenagers always gathers in the park after school.

• Шайка бандитов попыталась ограбить банк, но была поймана.

  The gang of bandits tried to rob the bank but was caught.

• Местные жители опасаются банды, которая контролирует квартал.

  Local residents fear the gang that controls the neighborhood.

Meaning 2: A group of people working together, without negative connotations (e.g., a work gang)

Translation(s) & Context:

• группа - Used in neutral or formal contexts, such as work teams or social clubs.
• банда - Occasionally used informally for work groups, but less common and can imply disorganization.

Usage Examples:

• Рабочая группа инженеров завершила проект ahead of schedule.

  The work gang of engineers finished the project ahead of schedule.

• В фабрике есть группа (или банда) сборщиков, которые работают вместе каждый день.

  At the factory, there is a gang (or group) of assemblers who work together every day.

• Эта группа волонтеров, как банда друзей, помогает в благотворительности.

  This gang of volunteers, like a band of friends, helps with charity.

• Городская группа уборщиков очищает улицы каждое утро.

  The city gang of cleaners clears the streets every morning.

• В туристической группе всегда есть банда энтузиастов, готовых к приключениям.

  In the tourist gang, there's always a group of enthusiasts ready for adventures.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'банда' is a feminine noun (3rd declension) and undergoes regular inflection based on case and number. 'группа' is also feminine but follows a standard pattern. 'шайка' is feminine and inflects similarly.

Note: These words do not change for gender but follow standard feminine noun patterns. They are invariant in plural forms for some cases, making them relatively straightforward once the basics are learned.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • группировка (gruppirovka) - Similar to 'банда' but more formal, often for organized groups.
  • отряд (otryad) - Military or structured group connotation.
  • команда (komanda) - Team-like synonym, with less negative undertones.
• Antonyms:
  • одиночка (odinochka) - Implies a lone individual, contrasting with a group.
  • индивид (individ) - Refers to an individual person.

Related Phrases:

• Преступная банда - A criminal gang; used in contexts of organized crime.
• Банда хулиганов - Gang of hooligans; common in discussions about youth delinquency.
• Рабочая группа - Work gang; neutral phrase for labor teams.
• Шайка воров - Band of thieves; idiomatic for small criminal outfits.

Usage Notes:

'Банда' directly corresponds to the English 'gang' in criminal contexts but can sound more intense in Russian due to its association with organized crime. Use 'группа' for neutral or positive group settings to avoid negative connotations. Be mindful of gender agreement in sentences, as these are feminine nouns. When choosing between translations, opt for 'шайка' in informal, story-like narratives. In formal writing, 'группа' is safer for non-criminal meanings.

• Grammar tip: Always decline according to case (e.g., use genitive for possession: "банды оружия").
• Context tip: In Russian media, 'банда' often implies danger, so use it cautiously in everyday conversation.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse 'банда' with 'группа', using 'банда' in neutral contexts, which can make the statement sound accusatory. For example:

• Incorrect: "Моя банда друзей" (implies a criminal group of friends).
• Correct: "Моя группа друзей" (neutral group of friends).
• Explanation: 'Банда' carries inherent negativity, so always check the context before use. Another error is improper declension, e.g., saying "банду" in nominative cases, which alters the meaning.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'банда' evoke images from literature (e.g., in Dostoevsky's works) and modern media, often linked to historical events like the Soviet-era criminal underworld. It reflects a societal wariness of organized groups, stemming from Russia's history of gang-related activities in urban areas, which can add a layer of caution in everyday language.

Related Concepts:

• мафия (mafiya)
• организованная преступность (organizovannaya prestupnost')
• отряд (otryad)
• команда (komanda)