colmena
/kolˈmena/
The Spanish word for hive is colmena.
colmena refers to bees of one hive. You might use the word panal when specifically referring to the structure within the hive where bees store honeycomb.
Meaning: bees of one hive (noun)
Which one should you use?
If you want to refer to a smaller hive or use a more affectionate, diminutive term, you can use colmenita.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of colmena is colmenas.
How do you pronounce it?
/kolˈmena/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the word colmena can be used to describe high-density housing or skyscrapers where many people live in small, identical units.
- Because of its etymological roots, the word colmena shares a deeper history with Celtic languages than with the Latin roots of many other Spanish words.
- The diminutive colmenita is not just used for small hives, but can also be used poetically to describe a cozy, small living space.
Examples in context
- Vivíamos en una casa estrecha y oscura, tan pequeña como una colmena.We lived in a cramped, dim house which was as small as a hive.This sentence compares the size of a small house to a colmena.Tatoeba #5992164 by albrusgher, translation #2886235 by AlanF_US
- El apicultor revisó la colmena para verificar la producción de miel.The beekeeper checked the hive to verify honey production.
- ¡Mira qué linda colmenita! Las abejas están muy ocupadas.Look at that cute little hive! The bees are very busy.
- Hoy encontré un panalito abandonado en el jardín.Today I found a little hive abandoned in the garden.
- Vimos una colmena vieja en el jardín.We saw an old hive in the garden.
Example conversation
Daniel and María are walking through a countryside trail.
- MaríaMira, Daniel, hay una colmena en ese árbol.Look, Daniel, there is a hive in that tree.
- DanielEs verdad, María, es muy grande.It is true, María, it is very large.
- MaríaNo te acerques demasiado a la colmena.Don't get too close to the hive.
- DanielTienes razón, es mejor alejarse.You are right, it is better to stay away.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry colmena, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries colmena, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
