Translation guide
A hard, yellowish-white wax secreted by certain scale insects in China, used for candles, polishes, and traditional medicine.
Referring to the material itself, often in technical, historical, or commercial contexts.
The standard term for insect-derived white wax, especially from the Chinese wax scale insect. Used in traditional crafts and medicine.
虫白蝋はろうそくの原料として使われます。
Chinese wax is used as a material for candles.
Literally 'white wax'. Can refer to Chinese wax in context, but may also mean bleached beeswax or other white waxes. Less specific than 虫白蝋.
Descriptive phrase meaning 'Chinese insect wax'. Used when needing to clarify the origin explicitly.
中国の虫蝋は伝統的にろうそくに使われてきた。
Chinese insect wax has traditionally been used for candles.
In everyday conversation, Japanese speakers rarely refer to 'Chinese wax' specifically. If you are discussing candle-making or traditional crafts, 虫白蝋 is the most precise term. For general 'wax', use 蝋 (ろう).
This furniture is finished with white wax.