1
find a cockroach in [place]
find 后接地点时用 in；如果强调不止一只，可以说 find cockroaches。
We found a cockroach in the kitchen.
我们在厨房里发现了一只蟑螂。
蟑螂
先理解核心含义，再看它在真实句子里的用法。
蟑螂
any of numerous chiefly nocturnal insects; some are domestic pests
We found a cockroach in the kitchen.
我们在厨房里发现了一只蟑螂。
蜚蠊目(Blattodea)中非白蚁的任何黑色或棕色直翅昆虫。
Any black or brown straight-winged insect of the order Blattodea that is not a termite.
众多主要夜行的昆虫之一；有些是家居害虫
any of numerous chiefly nocturnal insects; some are domestic pests
I saw a cockroach run across the kitchen floor last night.
昨晚我看见一只蟑螂跑过厨房地板。
Cockroaches often hide in warm, dark places during the day.
蟑螂白天常常躲在温暖、阴暗的地方。
The old building has a serious cockroach problem, so the manager called an exterminator.
这栋旧楼有严重的蟑螂问题，所以经理叫来了灭虫人员。
find 后接地点时用 in；如果强调不止一只，可以说 find cockroaches。
We found a cockroach in the kitchen.
我们在厨房里发现了一只蟑螂。
cockroach 可直接作定语修饰名词，表示与蟑螂相关的事物，例如 cockroach problem。
The hotel had a serious cockroach problem.
这家酒店有严重的蟑螂问题。
表示某处存在蟑螂时常用 there are + 复数 cockroaches；注意 cockroach 的复数是 cockroaches。
There are cockroaches in the basement.
地下室里有蟑螂。
Not this
I saw cockroach in the kitchen.
Use this
I saw a cockroach in the kitchen.
cockroach 是可数名词，单数形式前需要加不定冠词 a/an；这里表示“一只”，所以用 a cockroach。
Not this
There are many cockroach in the old house.
Use this
There are many cockroaches in the old house.
many 后接可数名词的复数形式，cockroach 的复数是 cockroaches，需要加 -es。
Not this
I am afraid of cockroach.
Use this
I am afraid of cockroaches.
表示一类事物时，可数名词常用复数；cockroach 不能以单数且无冠词的形式泛指“蟑螂”，所以应说 cockroaches。
Focus on the distinctions below. Other candidates are kept compact until a reliable usage note is available.
蟑螂侵害；蟑螂泛滥
The restaurant was closed because of a severe cockroach infestation.
那家餐厅因严重的蟑螂侵害而停业。
蟑螂问题
Our apartment has a cockroach problem in the kitchen.
我们公寓的厨房有蟑螂问题。
杀蟑螂喷雾剂
She bought a cockroach spray to kill the pests.
她买了杀蟑螂喷雾剂来消灭这些害虫。
蟑螂诱捕器；捕蟑器
Place a cockroach trap under the sink.
在水槽下面放一个蟑螂诱捕器。
驱蟑螂剂
This natural cockroach repellent is safe for pets.
这种天然驱蟑螂剂对宠物是安全的。
德国小蠊（常见蟑螂种类）
The German cockroach is the most common species in homes.
德国小蠊是家庭中最常见的蟑螂种类。
蟑螂，蟑螂，已经不能再走路了。
La Cucaracha is a traditional Mexican folk song about a cockroach that has lost one of its legs.
《蟑螂歌》是一首关于一只失去一条腿的蟑螂的墨西哥传统民歌。
发长 /oʊ/ 音 (如 boat, coat)
Use cockroach naturally, then get feedback on meaning, tone, grammar, and phrasing.
Revisit a common error or keep this word in your review list.
把 cockroach 拆成 cock（公鸡）+ roach（联想蟑螂），想象公鸡啄蟑螂的画面，记住这个词。
语域：neutral 常见场景：日常对话、科普文章、害虫防治 cockroach 是标准中性词，日常对话、科普或防治说明中都常见，没有明显口语或正式语体色彩。比较随便的口语里偶尔缩略成 roach，但 cockroach 本身使用范围很广。
All six words rhyme with the final /kroʊtʃ/ of cockroach, ending in /roʊtʃ/ or /poʊtʃ/. Beware spelling lookalikes: stomach (-ach) is /ˈstʌmək/, ache is /eɪk/, and attach ends in /tʃ/ but not /oʊtʃ/.
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.