Translation guide
A large, hump-backed insect often found in homes in Japan. The learner needs to know the common Japanese name and how to talk about it.
Referring to the insect commonly known as a camelback cricket, cave cricket, or spider cricket.
The standard Japanese name for this insect. Often written in katakana, but can also be written as 竈馬.
台所にカマドウマが出た。
A camelback cricket appeared in the kitchen.
A colloquial name literally meaning 'toilet cricket,' because they are often found in damp places like bathrooms.
お風呂場に便所コオロギがいてびっくりした。
I was surprised to find a camelback cricket in the bathroom.
Sometimes confused with camelback crickets, but actually refers to mole crickets. Avoid using this unless you are sure.
This is a different insect. Only use if you specifically mean a mole cricket.
オケラはカマドウマとは違う虫だ。
A mole cricket is a different insect from a camelback cricket.
Expressing surprise, fear, or the need to remove one.
Common way to say a camelback cricket appeared. 出る (でる) is used for unexpected appearances of pests.
夜中にカマドウマが出て、眠れなかった。
A camelback cricket appeared in the middle of the night and I couldn't sleep.
To get rid of a camelback cricket. 退治する (たいじする) means to exterminate or eliminate a pest.
カマドウマを退治するために殺虫剤を使った。
I used insecticide to get rid of the camelback cricket.
To say you are scared of camelback crickets. Many people find them creepy because they jump.
カマドウマが怖くて近づけない。
I'm so scared of camelback crickets that I can't go near them.
In some regions, camelback crickets are called 便所コオロギ (toilet cricket) or カマドウマ. The standard term is カマドウマ, but 便所コオロギ is widely understood.