desbandada (spanish) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation

Part of Speech

• Noun (feminine)

Phonetic Transcription

• /des.banˈða.ða/

Translation Options into English

• Flight
• Desertion
• Stampede

Meaning and Usage

Desbandada refers to a sudden and disorderly escape or dispersion of a group of people or animals. It is often used in contexts where there is panic, chaos, or a lack of organization leading to a chaotic retreat. The term can be used in both general contexts and specific situations, such as military retreats or crowds fleeing from stressful circumstances.

The frequency of use is moderate, and it can appear in both oral and written contexts, but it is more common in written language, especially in literary or journalistic texts that discuss social phenomena or events of mass flight.

Example Sentences

1. La desbandada de los manifestantes sorprendió a la policía.
2. The flight of the protesters surprised the police.
3. Durante la tormenta, hubo una desbandada general en el festival.
4. During the storm, there was a general stampede at the festival.
5. La desbandada de los animales asustados se pudo ver desde lejos.
6. The desertion of the scared animals could be seen from afar.

Idiomatic Expressions

While "desbandada" itself may not be used frequently in idiomatic expressions, the concept of fleeing or chaotic dispersal is related to various Spanish sayings and expressions that convey the idea of panic or retreat. Here are some examples:

1. Hacer una desbandada - To make a hasty retreat.
2. Cuando escucharon la alarma, todos hicieron una desbandada hacia la salida.

3. When they heard the alarm, everyone made a hasty retreat towards the exit.

4. Estar en desbandada - To be in a state of dispersion or chaos.

5. La ciudad estuvo en desbandada después del anuncio del terremoto.

6. The city was in a state of chaos after the earthquake announcement.

7. Causar desbandada - To cause a stampede.

8. El precio de las entradas causó una desbandada entre los asistentes.
9. The ticket prices caused a stampede among the attendees.

Etymology

The word desbandada derives from the Spanish prefix des-, which indicates reversal or negation, and the root banda, which comes from Latin bandus, meaning band or troop. It implies the opposite of a band staying together, indicating a scattering or disbanding.

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms: - Huida (flight) - Fuga (escape) - Deserción (desertion)

Antonyms: - Agrupación (grouping) - Reunión (meeting) - Concentración (concentration)