蟑螂
zhāngláng
The English word cockroach is translated into Chinese as 蟑螂 (zhāngláng). If unsure, use 蟑螂. Wiktionary also lists 蜚蠊 (fěilián) and 小強 / 小强 (xiǎoqiáng).
Meaning: type of insect (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 蟑螂 | zhāngláng | |
| 蜚蠊 | fěilián | |
| 小強 / 小强 | xiǎoqiáng | colloquial |
| 偷油婆 | tōuyóupó | dialectal |
The word is used to refer to the insect of the same name. In a humorous or personified context, people often use the colloquialism 小強 to acknowledge the insect's resilience.
Which one should you use?
While 蟑螂 is the standard everyday word for cockroach, 蜚蠊 is used specifically for formal or scientific purposes.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
蜚蠊 is a formal, scientific term used in biological or technical contexts. 小強 is a colloquialism often used humorously to refer to the insect as a 'tough little guy'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Taiwanese Mandarin, the term for cockroach is 蟑螂. 偷油婆 is a dialectal term used in certain regions of China.
How do you pronounce it?
zhāngláng
When do people say it?
Calling a cockroach 小強 is a common way to humorously or affectionately acknowledge how difficult they are to kill.
Did you know?
- The colloquial name 小強 actually originated from a 1993 Hong Kong comedy film titled 'Flirting Scholar', where the character named his pet cockroach this name.
Examples in context
- 我用100美元跟我的朋友赌他不会吃活蟑螂。我输了！I bet my friend $100 that he wouldn't eat a live cockroach. I lost!This sentence illustrates the use of 蟑螂 in a casual context regarding a bet.Tatoeba #812315 by fucongcong, translation #643294 by darinmex
- 你看，有只蟑螂！Look, there's a cockroach!
- 厨房里有一只蟑螂。Chúfáng lǐ yǒu yī zhǐ zhāngláng.There is a cockroach in the kitchen.
- 我看见一只巨大的蟑螂。Wǒ kànjiàn yī zhǐ jùdà de zhāngláng.I saw a huge cockroach.
Example conversation
A young man and woman are looking at a kitchen floor.
- 志强 Zhiqiang你看，那里有一只蟑螂！Nǐ kàn, nàlǐ yǒu yī zhǐ zhāngláng!Look, there is a cockroach over there!
- 梓涵 Zihan天呐，快把它赶走。Tiān na, kuài bǎ tā gǎn zǒu.Oh my god, hurry and drive it away.
- 志强 Zhiqiang我不敢碰它。Wǒ bù gǎn pèng tā.I don't dare to touch it.
- 梓涵 Zihan那你可以用扫帚。Nà nǐ kěyǐ yòng sàozhǒu.Then you can use a broom.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cockroach” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 偷油婆, 小強, 蟑螂, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
