How to say "honey" in Japanese

• はちみつJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounHoney the food: the sweet substance bees make, eaten on bread or stirred into tea and cooking; normally written in kana. It is not a way to address a person.
  彼かれは砂糖さとうの代かわりにハチミツを使つかう。↗

  He uses honey instead of sugar.
• あなたJLPT N5approx.Common
  pronounThe endearment sense: 'dear' or 'honey' said affectionately to one's spouse or partner in familiar speech. It is essentially the ordinary word for 'you', so the 'honey' reading depends on the close relationship.
• 蜜みつJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounHoney as a sweet substance rather than the food itself; when you mean the honey you eat or spread, はちみつ is the word you want, and 蜜 is seldom the right pick.
  口くちの中なかには蜜みつ、心こころの中なかには毒どく。↗

  Honey in the mouth and poison in the heart.

Use 「はちみつ」 for honey the food, 「あなた」 for honey as an endearment to a spouse or partner, and 蜜 for honey as a substance, though for the honey you eat 「はちみつ」 is the word you want.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• はちみつhoney
• ハニーhoney
• あなたdear
• 蜜みつhoney