Translation guide
The wax structure made by bees, or a pattern resembling it. In Japanese, the word depends on whether you mean the actual bee structure, a food item, or a pattern.
The wax structure built by bees to store honey and larvae.
General term for a bee's nest, including the honeycomb structure. Most common and natural.
蜂の巣にはたくさんの六角形の部屋がある。
A honeycomb has many hexagonal cells.
Loanword from English, often used in technical or design contexts (e.g., honeycomb structure). Less common for actual bee hives.
この素材はハニカム構造になっている。
This material has a honeycomb structure.
Specifically 'honeybee nest'. More precise but less commonly used than 蜂の巣.
蜜蜂の巣から蜂蜜を採取する。
We harvest honey from the honeycomb.
Honeycomb as a food, often eaten with the wax.
Also used for edible honeycomb. Context makes it clear.
この蜂の巣はそのまま食べられます。
This honeycomb can be eaten as is.
Sometimes used on menus or product labels for honeycomb chocolate or sweets.
A pattern of hexagons resembling a honeycomb, used in design, engineering, etc.
Standard term for honeycomb pattern or structure in technical and design contexts.
ハニカム模様のタイルを選んだ。
I chose tiles with a honeycomb pattern.
Means 'honeycomb-shaped'. Used in descriptive contexts.
蜂の巣状の構造は軽くて強い。
The honeycomb structure is light and strong.
Literally 'hexagonal pattern'. More generic, not specifically honeycomb.
壁に六角形のパターンを描いた。
I painted a hexagonal pattern on the wall.
蜂の巣 is the everyday word for a bee's nest or honeycomb. ハニカム is a loanword used mainly for the geometric pattern or in engineering. For food, 蜂の巣 is more common, but ハニカム appears in product names.
蜂の巣から蜜が垂れている。
Honey is dripping from the honeycomb.
このパネルはハニカム構造だ。
This panel has a honeycomb structure.
ハニカムチョコレートが好きです。
I like honeycomb chocolate.