Korean Dictionary
How to say "Cockroach" in Korean
“Cockroach” in Korean is 바퀴벌레 (pronounced "bakwibeolre").
바퀴벌레
bakwibeolre
Usage & Context
A common household pest found in Korean homes. Cockroaches are considered undesirable and are subjects of pest control efforts. They are symbols of uncleanliness in Korean culture.
Example Sentence
바퀴벌레가 부엌에 있어요.
The cockroach is in the kitchen.
How to use 바퀴벌레 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Cockroach” is 바퀴벌레, romanized as bakwibeolre.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 바퀴벌레.
Pronunciation Guide
'Ba-kwi-beol-le' is pronounced with 'Ba' like 'bah' in 'bah-bah black sheep'. 'Kwi' sounds like 'kwee' in 'queen'. 'Beol' is similar to 'burl' in 'burly', and 'le' is like 'leh' in 'let'.
More Example Sentences
Asking at a convenience store or pharmacy.
바퀴벌레 잡는 약 있어요?
Do you have cockroach killer?
Talking to a friend about a bad dream.
어제 밤에 바퀴벌레 꿈 꿨어요. 으악!
I dreamt of cockroaches last night. Ugh!
Explaining why you avoid a certain restaurant.
이 식당 바퀴벌레 나온대서 안 가.
They say cockroaches come out in this restaurant, so I don't go.
Cultural Context
In Korea, as in many cultures, cockroaches are universally disliked and associated with uncleanliness. Finding one in your home or a restaurant often leads to immediate action for pest control. There's no positive cultural symbolism for them; they are purely seen as pests.
Editorial note
We review entries like 바퀴벌레 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
바퀴벌레 나왔어!
A cockroach appeared!
바퀴벌레 싫어!
I hate cockroaches!
바퀴벌레 잡아줘.
Catch the cockroach for me.
Related Expressions
해충
haechung
pest
바퀴벌레 약
bakwibeolre yak
cockroach killer
벌레
beolle
insect, bug (general term)
쥐
jwi
mouse, rat
More Animals Words
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