1.
pebble, small stone
A small, rounded stone, typically found on beaches, riverbeds, or paths.
小石を川に投げた。
I threw a pebble into the river.
靴の中に小石が入った。
A pebble got into my shoe.
川原で小石を拾って水切りをした。
I picked up pebbles on the riverbed and skipped them on the water.
水切り = stone skipping
小石 is composed of 小 (small) + 石 (stone). Refers to small, smooth stones typically found on riverbanks, beaches, and paths.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 小石を拾う: to pick up pebbles
- 小石を投げる: to throw pebbles
- 小石を蹴る: to kick pebbles
- 小石が敷き詰められた道: a pebble-covered path
SIZE SCALE:
- 砂: sand
- 小石: pebble, small stone
- 石: stone (general term)
- 岩: rock, boulder
- 砂利: gravel (collection of small stones)
NOTE:
水切り (stone skipping) is a popular activity where you throw a flat 小石 across water to make it bounce.