Kakerlake
/ˌka(ː)kɐˈlaːkə/feminine
The German word for cockroach is Kakerlake. Wiktionary also lists Schabe.
Meaning: type of insect (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Kakerlake | /ˌka(ː)kɐˈlaːkə/ | feminine |
| Schabe | feminine |
Both Kakerlake and Schabe are used to refer to this type of insect.
Which one should you use?
Schabe is the more formal or scientific term, whereas Kakerlake is more colloquial.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of Kakerlake is die Kakerlaken, and the plural of Schabe is die Schaben. Both nouns are feminine.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌka(ː)kɐˈlaːkə/
Did you know?
- The word Schabe is a distant relative of the English word 'scab', as both share a common ancestor meaning 'to scrape' or 'to peel'.
- In German, Schabe can refer to a cockroach but historically referred to moths and other insects as well.
Examples in context
- Im Bad ist eine Kakerlake.There's a cockroach in the bathroom.This sentence shows how to report the presence of a Kakerlake in a room.Tatoeba #1482644 by al_ex_an_der, translation #1482603 by Spamster
- Wie hast du die Schabe denn getötet?How did you kill the cockroach?This sentence is used when asking about the method used to kill a Schabe.Tatoeba #8081320 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #5143867 by CarpeLanam
- Tom erschlug die Schabe mit einem Besen.Tom killed the cockroach with a broom.This sentence describes an action taken against a Schabe using an object.Tatoeba #8173045 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #5144087 by Airvian
- Seien Sie bitte vorsichtig, es gibt Kakerlaken in der Küche.Please be careful, there are cockroaches in the kitchen.
- Da ist eine Schabe in der Ecke.There is a cockroach in the corner.
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julian and Sarah are in their kitchen at night.
- JulianDa ist eine Kakerlake in der Küche!There is a cockroach in the kitchen!
- SarahOh nein, wie ekelhaft!Oh no, how disgusting!
- JulianIch muss die Kakerlake schnell wegmachen.I have to get rid of the cockroach quickly.
- SarahNimm bitte die Zeitung, Julian.Please use the newspaper, Julian.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cockroach” translations and entries Kakerlake, Schabe, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Kakerlake, Schabe, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
