1.
beehive; wasp nest; nest of bees or wasps
The nest built by bees or wasps, whether a natural hive or a constructed nest. In everyday life, often refers to wasp nests found around houses.
2.
honeycomb; honeycomb pattern; something riddled with holes
Used figuratively to describe something full of holes or a honeycomb-like pattern. The expression 蜂の巣にする means to riddle something with holes (as with bullets).
Literally "蜂 (bee/wasp) + の (possessive) + 巣 (nest)." A concrete compound with both a literal and a vivid figurative use.
Common collocations
- 蜂の巣を駆除する: to remove a wasp nest
- 蜂の巣にする: to riddle with holes
- 蜂の巣状: honeycomb-shaped
- 蜂の巣をつつく: to stir up a hornet's nest (to provoke trouble)
Common expressions
The expression 蜂の巣をつつく (literally "to poke a beehive") means to stir up trouble or provoke a dangerous situation — equivalent to the English "stir up a hornet's nest." 蜂の巣をつついたような騒ぎ means "a commotion like poking a hornet's nest."