Translation guide
The English word "comb" can refer to a tool for hair, the act of using it, a honeycomb structure, or the crest of a bird. Japanese uses different words for each meaning.
A toothed tool used to arrange or untangle hair.
General word for a hair comb. Can refer to any type of comb, from fine-toothed to wide-toothed.
新しい櫛を買った。
I bought a new comb.
この櫛は木でできている。
This comb is made of wood.
Loanword for hairbrush. Often used for brushes rather than combs, but sometimes used loosely.
ヘアブラシで髪をとかす。
I brush my hair with a hairbrush.
The action of using a comb to arrange or untangle hair.
General verb meaning 'to comb' or 'to brush' hair. Can be used with 櫛 (comb) or ブラシ (brush).
Literally 'comb and dress' hair. Slightly more formal or literary, often implies careful grooming.
Means 'to comb' or 'to card' fibers like wool or cotton. Not used for hair.
羊毛をすく。
To comb wool.
The hexagonal wax structure made by bees.
General word for beehive or honeycomb. Can refer to the whole nest or the comb structure.
蜂の巣から蜂蜜を取る。
Take honey from the honeycomb.
Loanword from English 'honeycomb'. Often used in technical contexts or for honeycomb patterns.
Specifically 'beeswax comb', emphasizing the wax material. Rare in everyday speech.
蜜蝋の巣はろうそくの材料になる。
Beeswax comb is used to make candles.
The fleshy crest on the head of a bird, especially a rooster.
To comb through an area or data, searching carefully.
Means 'to search every nook and cranny'. Natural equivalent for 'comb through'.
警察は森をくまなく探した。
The police combed through the forest.
Means 'to investigate thoroughly'. Used for combing through data or records.
データを徹底的に調べた。
I combed through the data.
Literally 'search to every corner'. Similar to くまなく探す.
部屋をすみずみまで探した。
I combed through the room.
The verb くしけずる is only for grooming hair. To express 'comb through' in the sense of searching, use phrases like くまなく探す or 徹底的に調べる.
とかす is the everyday verb for combing or brushing hair. くしけずる is more literary and implies careful, deliberate grooming. In casual speech, とかす is preferred.
彼女はパーティーの前に髪をとかした。
She combed her hair before the party.
警察は手がかりを求めてその地域をくまなく探した。
The police combed the area for clues.
彼女は鏡の前で髪をくしけずった。
She combed her hair in front of the mirror.
ハニカム構造は軽くて強い。
The honeycomb structure is light and strong.
鶏冠の形は品種によって異なる。
The shape of the comb differs by breed.