cockroach
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cockroach
A usually brownish insect considered a pest that often lives in damp and warm environments; also called a roach.
Als er das Licht in der Küche anmachte, sah er eine Kakerlake über den Boden huschen.
When he turned on the light in the kitchen, he saw a cockroach scurry across the floor.
The word 'Kakerlake' (cockroach) is very strongly associated with feelings such as disgust, dirt, and pest infestation. It is used almost exclusively in a negative context.
Allein der Gedanke an eine Kakerlake in der Wohnung ist für viele unangenehm.
For many people, just the thought of a cockroach in the apartment is unpleasant.
Cockroaches are often described with verbs of fast, creepy movement, for example 'huschen' (to scurry) or 'krabbeln' (to crawl). People try to 'bekämpfen' (fight/control) or 'vernichten' (destroy/exterminate) them.
Plötzlich huschte eine Kakerlake unter den Kühlschrank.
Suddenly, a cockroach scurried under the refrigerator.
When 'Kakerlake' (cockroach) is part of a compound word, a linking -n is often inserted. Examples include 'die Kakerlakenplage' (cockroach infestation) or 'das Kakerlakenspray' (cockroach spray).
Der Kammerjäger wurde wegen einer Kakerlakenplage gerufen.
The exterminator was called because of a cockroach infestation.