働(はたら)き蜂(ばち)

はたらきばち
noun
worker bee
animal-insect
1. worker bee
A non-reproductive female bee that gathers nectar, builds and cleans the hive, and cares for the young. Also used figuratively for a person who works hard without much reward or recognition.
働(はたら)き蜂(ばち)が花(はな)の蜜(みつ)を集(あつ)める。
Worker bees gather nectar from flowers.
巣(す)の仕事(しごと)はほとんど働(はたら)き蜂(ばち)がこなす。
Almost all the hive's work is handled by the worker bees.
彼(かれ)は会社(かいしゃ)の働(はたら)き蜂(ばち)のように、毎日(まいにち)遅(おそ)くまで働(はたら)いている。
Like a worker bee at the company, he works late every day.

Formed from 働(はたら)き (working) + 蜂(はち) (bee), with rendaku giving ばち. Figuratively it describes a diligent, self-effacing worker who does the unglamorous jobs.

Common collocations

Similar words

Related Words

Compare: 女王蜂(じょおうばち) (queen bee)
Related: 蜜蜂(みつばち) (honeybee)
general
Added 2026.7.17 6:18 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
29500/29898_hatarakibachi