(こいし)

こいし
noun
pebble, small stone
1. pebble, small stone
A small, rounded stone, typically found on beaches, riverbeds, or paths.
小石(こいし)(かわ)()げた。
I threw a pebble into the river.
(くつ)(なか)小石(こいし)(はい)った。
A pebble got into my shoe.
川原(かわら)小石(こいし)(ひろ)って水切(みずき)りをした。
I picked up pebbles on the riverbed and skipped them on the water.
水切(みずき)り = stone skipping

小石(こいし) is composed of () (small) + (いし) (stone). Refers to small, smooth stones typically found on riverbanks, beaches, and paths.

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 小石(こいし)(ひろ)う: to pick up pebbles
  • 小石(こいし)()げる: to throw pebbles
  • 小石(こいし)()る: to kick pebbles
  • 小石(こいし)()()められた(みち): a pebble-covered path

SIZE SCALE:

  • (すな): sand
  • 小石(こいし): pebble, small stone
  • (いし): stone (general term)
  • (いわ): rock, boulder
  • 砂利(じゃり): gravel (collection of small stones)

NOTE:
水切(みずき)り (stone skipping) is a popular activity where you throw a flat 小石(こいし) across water to make it bounce.