טאַראַקאַן
tarakanmasculine
The Yiddish word for cockroach is טאַראַקאַן (tarakan). Wiktionary also lists קנײַפּער (knayper) and שוואַב (shvab).
Meaning: type of insect (noun)
Ways to say it
| Yiddish | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| טאַראַקאַן | tarakan | masculine |
| קנײַפּער | knayper | masculine |
| שוואַב | shvab | masculine |
All provided terms refer to the insect known as a cockroach.
Which one should you use?
The forms קנײַפּער and שוואַב are also used to refer to the insect.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In American Yiddish communities, the term קאָקאָראַך is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
טאַראַקאַן is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
tarakan
Did you know?
- The term שוואַב for a cockroach is linguistically linked to the word for a person from Swabia, a region in southwest Germany.
- Depending on which word you use, you might be signaling whether your Yiddish-speaking family roots are in Eastern Europe, Germany, or America.
- In Yiddish culture, insects like the טאַראַקאַן are often mentioned in humorous or neurotic contexts regarding cleanliness and domestic chaos in literature and film.
Examples in context
- ס׳איז אַ טאַראַקאַן.It's a cockroach.This sentence is useful for identifying the presence of a טאַראַקאַן.Tatoeba #12128341 by shekitten, translation #12128192 by ddnktr
Example conversation
Sarah and Menachem are cleaning the apartment together.
- שרה Saraמנחם, קוק! דאָ איז אַ טאַראַקאַן!Menakhem, kuk! do iz a tarakan!Menachem, look! Here is a cockroach!
- מנחם Menahemאיך זע עס נישט. וואו איז ער?ikh ze es nisht. vu iz er?I don't see it. Where is it?
- שרה Saraער איז פֿאָר דעם שידע!er iz for dem shide!It is in front of the cabinet!
- מנחם Menahemאיך וועל עס פֿאַרבענצן איצט.ikh vel es farbentsn itst.I will get rid of it now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cockroach” translations and entries טאַראַקאַן, קנײַפּער, שוואַב, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries טאַראַקאַן, קנײַפּער, שוואַב, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
