kakkerlak
/ka.kər.lak/
The Afrikaans word for cockroach is kakkerlak.
kakkerlak is a noun used to refer to the specific type of insect.
Meaning: type of insect (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of kakkerlak is kakkerlakke.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables and is pronounced /ka.kər.lak/.
Did you know?
- The word kakkerlak is an onomatopoeic construction meant to mimic the clicking sounds these insects make.
- If you accidentally use the first syllable of kakkerlak as a standalone word, you will be using a very common South African profanity.
- Though kakkerlak is the standard name, local English influence in South Africa means many Afrikaans speakers will frequently switch to the English 'cockroach' mid-sentence.
Examples in context
- Jy moet versigtig wees om nie 'n kakkerlak in jou kos te kry nie.You should be careful not to get a cockroach in your food.
- Ek het vanaand 'n kakerlak in my kombuis gesien. Dit was baie onaangenaam!I saw a cockroach in my kitchen tonight. It was very unpleasant!
- Ek het nog nooit 'n kakerlak in my huis gesien nie, want ek maak elke dag skoon.I've never seen a cockroach in my house because I clean every day.
- Daar is 'n kakkerlak in die kombuis.There is a cockroach in the kitchen.
- Ek het 'n groot kakkerlak gesien.I saw a big cockroach.
Example conversation
Pieter and Marelize are in the kitchen when they see a pest.
- PieterMarelize, kyk daar is 'n kakkerlak!Marelize, look, there is a cockroach!
- MarelizeEk kan dit sien, dit is vreeslik.I can see it, it is terrible.
- PieterEk gaan dit probeer doodmaak.I am going to try to kill it.
- MarelizeWees versigtig, Pieter.Be careful, Pieter.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cockroach” translations and entries kakkerlak, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
