Noun
/swɛt biː/
A "sweat bee" refers to a type of bee belonging to the family Halictidae, known for their attraction to human sweat. They are generally small, and many species are solitary. Sweat bees are often found in sunny areas and are important pollinators. The term is commonly used in both oral speech and written contexts, but might be more prevalent in scientific discussions or nature-related conversations.
"Sweat bee" is not extremely common in everyday conversation but does appear in contexts related to gardening, entomology, and outdoor activities.
"The sweat bee landed on my arm while I was gardening."
(Сладкая пчела села мне на руку, пока я работал в саду.)
"When I went hiking, I noticed several sweat bees buzzing around."
(Когда я пошел на прогулку, я заметил несколько сладких пчел, жужжащих вокруг.)
"Although sweat bees can be annoying, they don't sting very often."
(Хотя сладкие пчелы могут раздражать, они очень редко жалят.)
The phrase "sweat bee" is not commonly used in idiomatic expressions; however, here are some related idiomatic expressions that refer to bees in general.
"She's a busy bee, always working on multiple projects."
(Она трудяга, всегда работает над несколькими проектами.)
"Don't be a busy bee during the meeting; we need your input."
(Не будь трудягой на встрече; нам нужно твое мнение.)
"He was buzzing with excitement after the concert."
(Он был в восторге после концерта.)
"Let's not beat around the bush—are you joining us or not?"
(Давайте не будем ходить вокруг да около — ты с нами или нет?)
"She was as sweet as honey when she offered to help."
(Она была такой милой, как мед, когда предложила помощь.)
The term "sweat bee" derives from the combination of two English words: "sweat," referring to the salty fluid secreted by sweat glands, and "bee," from the Old English "bēo," which means a flying insect. The name reflects their unique behavior of being attracted to human perspiration.
In summary, the term "sweat bee" highlights a specific group of bees notable for their attraction to human sweat, serving as essential pollinators and featuring prominently in various ecological contexts.