蜜(みつ)

みつ

noun

honey; nectar; syrup

See also: 密(みつ) (close, dense, secret)

1. honey, nectar, syrup

A sweet, viscous liquid. Refers to honey produced by bees, nectar from flowers, or sweet syrup used in cooking and confectionery. The base component of many compound words related to sweetness.

花(はな)の蜜(みつ)を吸(す)う。

To sip the nectar of flowers.

蜂(はち)が蜜(みつ)を集(あつ)めている。

The bees are collecting nectar.

このパンケーキには蜜(みつ)がたっぷりかかっていて、とても甘(あま)くておいしい。

These pancakes have plenty of syrup on them and are very sweet and delicious.

Usage

Used both on its own and as a component in compounds. On its own, can refer to honey, flower nectar, or sweet syrup depending on context. Very productive as a word-forming element.

Compounds

蜂蜜(はちみつ): honey (bee honey)
花蜜(かみつ): flower nectar
蜜蜂(みつばち): honeybee
蜜柑(みかん): mandarin orange
蜜(みつ)豆(まめ): mitsumame (traditional Japanese dessert with sweet syrup)
黒蜜(くろみつ): brown sugar syrup

Common collocations

蜜(みつ)をかける: to pour syrup/honey on
蜜(みつ)を集(あつ)める: to collect nectar
蜜(みつ)の味(あじ): the taste of honey; (figuratively) a sweet/irresistible taste

Related Words

Compare: 甘露(かんろ) (sweet dew)

general

Added 2026.2.28 8:14 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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