Translation guide
A structure where bees live, either natural or man-made. In Japanese, the word depends on whether you mean a natural nest, a man-made hive for beekeeping, or the classic skep shape.
A box or structure provided by humans for honeybees to live in and produce honey.
General term for a beekeeping box or hive. Literally 'beekeeping box'.
養蜂箱から蜂蜜を採取した。
We harvested honey from the beehive.
Literally 'nest box'. Commonly used for birdhouses, but also for man-made bee hives, especially in contexts like 'beehive box'.
庭にミツバチの巣箱を置いている。
I keep a beehive in my garden.
Literally 'bee box'. Less common, but understood.
古い蜂箱を修理した。
I repaired the old beehive.
A nest built by bees in nature, such as in a tree hollow or on a branch.
General term for any bee or wasp nest. Use this for wild hives.
あの木に大きな蜂の巣がある。
There's a big beehive in that tree.
Specifically a honeybee nest. More precise than 蜂の巣.
蜜蜂の巣を見つけた。
I found a beehive.
The classic rounded beehive made of straw, often seen in illustrations.
Describes a straw beehive. Use this to specify the material and shape.
絵本にはわら製の蜂の巣箱が描かれている。
The picture book shows a straw beehive.
Loanword from English 'skep'. Used in beekeeping contexts.
伝統的なスケップを使っている養蜂家もいる。
Some beekeepers still use traditional skeps.
A place full of activity, like a beehive of industry.
Idiom meaning 'a commotion like poking a beehive', used for uproar or chaos.
その発表で会場は蜂の巣をつついたような騒ぎになった。
The announcement caused a beehive of activity in the hall.
Literally 'a place full of energy'. A natural way to describe a bustling place without the bee metaphor.
市場は活気にあふれた場所だ。
The market is a beehive of activity.
A tall, rounded women's hairstyle popular in the 1960s.
Loanword directly from English. Used in fashion contexts.
彼女はビーハイブヘアにしていた。
She wore her hair in a beehive.
Literal translation, sometimes used but less common than the loanword.
60年代には蜂の巣ヘアが流行した。
The beehive hairstyle was popular in the 60s.
蜂の巣 (はちのす) can refer to both bee and wasp nests. If you need to be specific, use 蜜蜂の巣 (みつばちのす) for honeybees or スズメバチの巣 (すずめばちのす) for hornets.