바퀴벌레
bakwibeolle[pa̠kʰɥibʌ̹ɭɭe̞]
The English word roach is translated into Korean as 바퀴벌레 (bakwibeolle).
Did you know?
- The word 바퀴 in 바퀴벌레 refers to a 'wheel'. This describes the insect's fast movement and the way its legs seem to rotate like wheels.
- Koreans use 벌레 as a general term for any bug, but it is also used as a harsh slang term to describe a person who is perceived as useless or parasitic.
- The word 벌레 is used in various compound words to describe things that are not insects, such as 책벌레 which translates to 'bookworm'.
Examples in context
- 바퀴벌레가 정말 커요.bakwibbullye-ga jeongmal keoyo.The roach is really big.
- 바퀴벌레를 잡았어요.bakwibbullye-reul jabasseoyo.I caught a roach.
Example conversation
Minji and Jihoon are talking in the living room about a pest.
- 민지 Min-ji지훈 씨, 저기 바퀴벌레가 보여요!Jihoon ssi, jeogi bakwibbullye-ga boyeoyo!Jihoon, I see a roach over there!
- 지훈 Ji-hun어디요? 제가 잡을게요.Eodiyo? Jega jabeulgeyo.Where? I will catch it.
- 민지 Min-ji너무 무서워요, 빨리 잡아주세요.Neomu museowoyo, ppalli jaba-juseyo.I'm so scared, please catch it quickly.
- 지훈 Ji-hun걱정 마요, 이제 괜찮아요.Geokjeong mayo, ije gwaenchanayo.Don't worry, it's okay now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 바퀴벌레, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
