What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
cafard
Example
I saw a cafard crawling on the kitchen floor. [cafard: noun]
Example
The cafard scurried away when I turned on the lights. [cafard: noun]
cockroach
Example
There was a cockroach in the bathroom this morning. [cockroach: noun]
Example
I don't like it when cockroaches crawl on the walls. [cockroaches: plural noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Cockroach is more commonly used than cafard in everyday English language. Cockroach is a widely recognized term for this type of insect, while cafard is less common and primarily used in French-speaking contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between cafard and cockroach?
While cafard is generally less formal and more colloquial, cockroach is a more neutral and versatile term that can be used in both formal and informal contexts.