ゴキブリ
gokiburi[ɡo̞kʲibɯ̟ɾʲi]
The English phrase "roach" is translated into Japanese as ゴキブリ (gokiburi).
ゴキブリ is the common name for a cockroach, which is a small, scavenging insect.
How do you pronounce it?
gokiburi
Did you know?
- The word ゴキブリ originally comes from the phrase 御器噛り, which literally means 'dish-biter'.
- The 'dish' part of the name, 御器 (goki), is a polite, formal way of referring to tableware, making the original name quite sophisticated for such a disliked pest.
Examples in context
- 大きなゴキブリを見ました。Ookina gokiburi o mimashita.I saw a big roach.
- ゴキブリを退治しました。Gokiburi o taiji shimashita.I got rid of the roach.
Example conversation
A couple is in the kitchen at night.
- 陽葵 Himariキャー！ゴキブリがいる！Kyaa! Gokiburi ga iru!Eek! There is a roach!
- 大翔 Hiroto大丈夫、僕がやるよ。Daijoubu, boku ga yaru yo.It's okay, I'll handle it.
- 陽葵 Himari大翔くん、お願い！Hiroto-kun, onegai!Hiroto, please!
- 大翔 Hirotoよし、退治したよ。Yoshi, taiji shita yo.Okay, I killed it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ゴキブリ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ゴキブリ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
