1.
bee
An insect that makes honey.
蜂に刺された。
I was stung by a bee.
蜜蜂が花に止まっている。
A honeybee is sitting on a flower.
蜂が庭の花の間を飛び回っている。
Bees are flying around among the flowers in the garden.
蜂蜜は蜜蜂が花の蜜を集めて作る甘い食べ物だ。
Honey is a sweet food that honeybees make by gathering nectar from flowers.
祖父は田舎で養蜂をしていて、毎年おいしい蜂蜜を送ってくれる。
My grandfather does beekeeping in the countryside and sends us delicious honey every year.
2.
wasp
A stinging insect related to bees.
蜂の巣を見つけた。
I found a wasp nest.
雀蜂は刺されると危険だ。
Hornet stings are dangerous.
軒下に蜂の巣ができていたので、業者に取ってもらった。
A wasp nest had formed under the eaves, so I had a professional remove it.
山を歩いていたら足長蜂が近づいてきたので、静かにその場を離れた。
A paper wasp came close while I was hiking in the mountains, so I quietly moved away.
秋になると雀蜂が攻撃的になるので、山に入るときは黒い服を避けて注意した方がいい。
Hornets become aggressive in autumn, so when going into the mountains, it's best to avoid dark clothing and be careful.
蜂 is a general term for bees and wasps.
TYPES OF BEES/WASPS:
- 蜜蜂: honeybee
- 雀蜂: hornet (Japanese giant hornet)
- 足長蜂: paper wasp
- 熊蜂: carpenter bee
COMMON EXPRESSIONS:
- 蜂に刺される: to be stung by a bee/wasp
- 蜂の巣: beehive, wasp nest
- 蜂蜜: honey
- 養蜂: beekeeping
SAFETY NOTE:
雀蜂 (Asian giant hornets) can be very dangerous. Their stings can be life-threatening, especially with multiple stings or allergic reactions.
IDIOM:
蜂の巣をつついたよう: like poking a hornet's nest (causing an uproar).