Meaning
黑帮 refers to organized criminal groups or gangs involved in illegal activities. The term literally combines 黑 (black/dark) with 帮 (gang/group), suggesting secretive, illicit organizations operating outside the law. It's commonly used to describe both local street gangs and larger organized crime syndicates.
Usage
This term appears frequently in crime films, news reports, and police dramas. It has a distinctly negative connotation and is typically used in formal contexts like news media or law enforcement discussions. In casual conversation, people might use it when discussing movies or news stories about organized crime.
Examples
- 01警方成功逮捕了这个黑帮的头目。.The police successfully arrested the leader of this gang.
- 02这部电影讲述了香港黑帮的故事。.This film tells the story of Hong Kong gangs.
Characters
Measure words
- 个一个黑帮
Common collocations
- 黑帮老大gang boss, mafia boss
- 黑帮分子gang member
- 黑帮电影gangster film
- 加入黑帮to join a gang
Antonyms
Origin
The word combines 黑 (black), which in Chinese often connotes illegality or underground activity, with 帮 (gang/group), originally meaning a group bound by mutual assistance. The term became popular in the 20th century to describe organized crime groups.