바퀴벌레
bakwibeolle[pa̠kʰɥibʌ̹ɭɭe̞]
The Korean word for cockroach is 바퀴벌레 (bakwibeolle). Wiktionary also lists 바퀴 (bakwi).
Meaning: type of insect (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 바퀴벌레 | bakwibeolle | [pa̠kʰɥibʌ̹ɭɭe̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [pa̠kʰybʌ̹ɭɭe̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 바퀴 | bakwi | [pa̠kʰɥi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [pa̠kʰy] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The term is used to refer to the specific type of insect known as a cockroach.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 바퀴벌레 is a compound of 바퀴, meaning wheel and 벌레, meaning insect or bug.
Which one should you use?
While 바퀴벌레 means cockroach, the shorter form 바퀴 means wheel and is not used as a synonym for the insect.
How do you pronounce it?
bakwibeolle
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use 바퀴 to mean cockroach, as this word specifically refers to a wheel.
Did you know?
- Because cockroaches are viewed as extreme symbols of filth, the phrase 바퀴벌레 is sometimes used as a harsh insult to describe a person who is persistent yet repulsive.
- The word 바퀴벌레 is a compound of 바퀴 meaning 'wheel' and 벌레 meaning 'bug'. This is because the insect's fast movements are compared to a spinning wheel.
- In Middle Korean, the word that became 바퀴 was actually written as 바회 and could have also referred to a 'rock'.
Examples in context
- 어제 바퀴벌레 봤어.I saw a cockroach yesterday.
- 바퀴벌레가 너무 커요.bakwibeolle-ga neomu keoyo.The cockroach is too big.
- 바퀴벌레를 봤어요.bakwibeolle-reul bwasseoyo.I saw a cockroach.
- 방에 바퀴벌레가 있어요.bang-e bakwibeolle-ga isseoyo.There is a cockroach in the room.
Example conversation
Two people are talking in a kitchen after seeing a bug.
- 서연 Seo-yeon현우 씨, 저기 바퀴벌레가 있어요!Hyeon-u ssi, jeogi bakwibeolle-ga isseoyo!Hyeon-u, there is a cockroach over there!
- 현우 Hyeon-woo정말이네요. 어디로 갔나요?Jeongmal-ineyo. Eodi-ro gassnayo?You're right. Where did it go?
- 서연 Seo-yeon싱크대 밑으로 들어갔어요.Singke-dae mit-euro deureogass-eoyo.It went under the sink.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo제가 잡아 볼게요.Je-ga jaba bolgeyo.I will try to catch it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cockroach” translations and entries 바퀴벌레, 바퀴, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 바퀴, 바퀴벌레, CC BY-SA 4.0.
