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.
軒下に蜂の巣ができた。
A wasp nest formed under the eaves.
蜂の巣を駆除してもらった。
I had the wasp nest removed.
大きな蜂の巣を見つけたので、業者に連絡した。
I found a large wasp nest, so I contacted a pest control company.
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).
蜂の巣状の模様。
A honeycomb pattern.
壁が蜂の巣のようになった。
The wall became riddled with holes like a honeycomb.
犯人の車は蜂の巣にされていた。
The criminal's car had been riddled with bullet holes.
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)
IDIOM:
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."
SIMILAR WORDS:
- ハニカム: honeycomb — the English loanword, used mainly in technical and design contexts for the hexagonal structure
- 巣箱: beehive box — an artificial hive used in beekeeping
- 蜂の巣駆除: wasp nest removal — a common service in Japan during summer