Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Cockroach'

English Word: Cockroach

Key Russian Translations:

• Таракан [tɐrɐˈkan] - [Neutral, Common]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner to Intermediate)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Таракан: [tɐrɐˈkan]

Note on Таракан: The stress is on the second syllable. The 'р' sound is rolled, which may be challenging for non-native speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Literal Meaning (Insect)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Таракан - Refers to the insect 'cockroach', used in everyday contexts.

Usage Examples:

• В кухне завелись тараканы.

  Cockroaches have appeared in the kitchen.

• Я видел огромного таракана на стене.

  I saw a huge cockroach on the wall.

• Мы купили средство от тараканов.

  We bought a product against cockroaches.

• Тараканы прячутся в темных углах.

  Cockroaches hide in dark corners.

• Этот таракан выжил после обработки!

  This cockroach survived after the treatment!

2. Figurative Meaning (Derogatory Term for a Person)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Таракан - Used colloquially to insult someone, implying they are sneaky or unpleasant (informal, derogatory).

Usage Examples:

• Не будь таким тараканом, скажи правду!

  Don't be such a cockroach, tell the truth!

• Он настоящий таракан, всегда обманывает.

  He's a real cockroach, always deceiving.

• Эти тараканы только и делают, что воруют.

  These cockroaches do nothing but steal.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Таракан is a masculine noun in Russian. It follows the standard declension pattern for masculine nouns ending in a consonant.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• Прусак (specifically for a type of cockroach, informal)

Note: 'Прусак' often refers to a smaller type of cockroach, commonly associated with household pests.

Antonyms:

• (No direct antonyms for 'cockroach' in Russian)

Related Phrases:

• Тараканы в голове - Literally "cockroaches in the head", meaning "to have strange or crazy thoughts/ideas".
• Как таракан на булавке - Literally "like a cockroach on a pin", meaning "to feel trapped or helpless".

Usage Notes:

• The word 'Таракан' is the most common and neutral term for 'cockroach' in Russian, used in both literal and figurative senses.
• In informal contexts, calling someone a 'Таракан' is derogatory and implies sneakiness or untrustworthiness. Use with caution.
• Russian speakers may use 'Прусак' to refer specifically to the German cockroach, a common household pest, though 'Таракан' is more widely understood.

Common Errors:

• Error: Misusing 'Таракан' in a derogatory sense without understanding the context, which can offend someone unintentionally.
  Incorrect: Ты таракан! (said jokingly to a friend without context).
  Correct: Use only in contexts where the insult is clearly understood or avoid altogether in polite conversation.
• Error: Incorrect stress placement when pronouncing 'Таракан'. Stressing the first syllable ([ˈtarɐkan]) instead of the second ([tɐrɐˈkan]) can make the word sound unnatural.
  Tip: Practice stressing the second syllable for native-like pronunciation.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, cockroaches are often associated with uncleanliness or poor living conditions, much like in many other cultures. The phrase "Тараканы в голове" (cockroaches in the head) is a common idiom to describe someone with eccentric or irrational thoughts, and it is widely understood across Russian-speaking regions.

Related Concepts:

• Насекомое (Insect)
• Вредитель (Pest)
• Грязь (Dirt)