cucaracha
/kukaˈɾat͡ʃa/feminine
The Spanish word for cockroach is cucaracha. Wiktionary also lists jate and curiana.
Meaning: type of insect (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cucaracha | /kukaˈɾat͡ʃa/ | feminine |
| jate | /xate/ (from spelling rules) | Honduras, masculine |
| curiana | /kuɾjana/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| fatula | /fatula/ (from spelling rules) | Puerto Rico, feminine |
The term refers to the type of insect known as a cockroach. In colloquial speech, one might also use the word bicho to refer to various insects, including cockroaches.
Which one should you use?
While cucaracha is the standard term, other forms like jate, curiana and fatula are used in specific geographic areas or contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Honduras, the masculine noun jate is used. In Puerto Rico, the feminine noun fatula is used. The term curiana is also used for cockroach in certain regions.
How does it change in a sentence?
Cucaracha is a feminine noun. The plural form is las cucarachas.
How do you pronounce it?
/kukaˈɾatʃa/
Did you know?
- In some Latin American contexts, the word bicho can mean 'cockroach' or 'bug', but in Puerto Rico it is a vulgar term for male genitalia.
- The word cucaracha is the basis for the 'La Cucaracha' song, which became a revolutionary anthem during the Mexican Revolution of 1910.
- The root of cucaracha comes from the word cuca, which in certain contexts refers to a butterfly caterpillar.
Examples in context
- ¡Se me subió una cucaracha!A cockroach has climbed up on me!This sentence shows how to express that a cucaracha has climbed onto you.Tatoeba #3000715 by hayastan, translation #3000729 by al_ex_an_der
- Hay una cucaracha en el baño.There's a cockroach in the bathroom.This sentence is useful for stating the location of a cucaracha.Tatoeba #1482664 by marcelostockle, translation #1482603 by Spamster
- ¿Cómo mataste a la cucaracha?How did you kill the cockroach?This sentence demonstrates how to ask about the killing of a cucaracha.Tatoeba #10211609 by manufrutos, translation #5143867 by CarpeLanam
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
In a kitchen during dinner.
- María¡Daniel, mira esa cucaracha!Daniel, look at that cockroach!
- Daniel¡Qué asco! Es enorme.How gross! It is huge.
- MaríaPor favor, mátala.Please, kill it.
- DanielNo, yo no la toco.No, I am not touching it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cockroach” translations and entries cucaracha, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cucaracha, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
