German word

Biene

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈbiːnə/

Meaning

  • feminine nounhoneybee

Example

Die Biene fliegt zur Blume.

The honeybee is flying to the flower.

Illustration for Biene (honeybee)

More examples

Beim Picknick wurde er von einer Biene gestochen.

At the picnic, he was stung by a honeybee.

Core concept

A small flying insect gathers nectar from flowers and carries it back to a busy hive.

Common phrases

  • von einer Biene gestochen werden

    be stung by a honeybee

  • eine Biene beobachten

    observe a honeybee

  • eine Biene halten

    keep a honeybee

Similar words

Hummel: A plump, hairy bumblebee that flies low with a deep buzzing sound.
Wespe: A slim, fast-flying wasp that may attack and sting.
Hornisse: A large, powerful hornet that builds nests and may sting.
Insekt: An animal with six legs belonging to a group with many species.

Definition in German

ein Insekt, das Nektar sammelt, Honig herstellt und meist in einer Gemeinschaft von vielen Tieren lebt

Word origin

Biene comes through Middle High German biene from Old High German bīna and continues Proto-Germanic *bīną, related to English bee.

Usage tips

  • Biene is feminine; its definite forms include die Biene in nominative and accusative singular and der Biene in dative and genitive singular.

Other meanings

  • beenoun

Related words

  • Bienenstockbeehivenoun
  • Bienenhaltungbeekeepingnoun
  • Bienenzüchterbeekeepernoun

Word lists with this word