bumblebee
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bumblebee
A large, hairy insect that belongs to the bee family and is known for its buzzing flight sound. Bumblebees are important pollinators for many plants.
Eine dicke Hummel summte von Blüte zu Blüte.
A fat bumblebee buzzed from flower to flower.
The characteristic flight sound of the 'Hummel' (bumblebee) is often described with the verbs 'summen' (to buzz) or 'brummen' (to hum/buzz). These words are perfect for describing a scene in the garden.
Ich saß auf der Wiese und hörte eine Hummel brummen.
I sat in the meadow and heard a bumblebee buzzing.
The expression 'Hummeln im Hintern haben' (to have ants in one’s pants) is fixed and cannot be changed. The person who is restless is the subject with the verb 'haben' (to have).
Mein Sohn kann nicht still sitzen, er hat ständig Hummeln im Hintern.
My son can’t sit still; he constantly has ants in his pants.
bee
'die Biene' and 'die Hummel' are both insects and important pollinators. That is why they are easy to confuse, especially when they are flying around flowers. In everyday language, 'Biene' often means a honeybee: it is relatively slender, collects nectar, and produces honey. A 'Hummel' does belong to the bee family, but it usually looks bigger, rounder, and hairier. It buzzes noticeably and often seems a bit more sluggish. When talking about honey and a beehive, 'Biene' usually fits. For the fat, furry insect on a flower, 'Hummel' is more precise.
Eine dicke Hummel brummt langsam durch den Lavendel.
A fat bumblebee buzzes slowly through the lavender.
Im Garten sitzt eine Biene auf der Apfelblüte.
There is a bee sitting on the apple blossom in the garden.