What it's NOT
gang does NOT translate to ganga.
To say "ganga" in English, use bargain.
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False cognate · False friend
gang
Does NOT mean ganga
It means a group involved in crime
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
What it IS
gang means a group involved in crime.
Why it's confused
Spanish "ganga" is a bargain or a very low price, an advantageous purchase. English "gang" is an organized group, usually involved in illegal activity. The sound resemblance causes confusion but they point to completely different things.
How it's pronounced
gangGÁNG
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Examples of correct use
English
A gang of kids played in the park.
Spanish
Una pandilla de niños jugaba en el parque.
English
The police arrested the gang.
Spanish
La policía arrestó a la banda.
A trick to remember it
Gang = a criminal group. A bargain (Spanish "ganga") = bargain.
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Frequently asked questions
What does "gang" mean in English?
"Gang" means "a group involved in crime". It looks a lot like "ganga", which is exactly why it gets confused, but they don't mean the same thing.
How do you say "ganga" in English?
To say "ganga" in English, use "bargain". If you use "gang" instead, you would actually be saying "a group involved in crime".
Do "gang" and "ganga" mean the same thing?
Spanish "ganga" is a bargain or a very low price, an advantageous purchase. English "gang" is an organized group, usually involved in illegal activity. The sound resemblance causes confusion but they point to completely different things.
Other confusing false friends
More confusing false friends
Library, embarrassed, actually... the full list of words that look the same but mean something different.
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