How to say "pebble" in Japanese

• 石いしJLPT N4approx.Common
  nounThe general word for a stone or rock of any size; 'pebble' is only a peripheral sense, and the word alone does not suggest small size, so it is seldom the precise choice.
  その子供こどもは小ちいさな石いしを拾い上ひろいあげた。↗

  The child picked up a small stone.
• 小石こいしCommon
  nounThe direct equivalent of 'pebble': a small stone, such as one picked up on a beach or path. Use this when 'pebble' itself, not 'stone' or 'rock', is what you mean.
  少年しょうねんは犬いぬをめがけて小石こいしを投なげつけた。↗

  The boy threw a stone at the dog.
• 石ころいしころCommon
  nounA loose stone lying on the ground, often a small one; it covers 'pebble' when you picture stones scattered underfoot, as on a path or in a garden.
  その少年しょうねんはカエルめがけて石いしころを投なげた。↗

  The boy threw a stone at the frog.

For an actual pebble use 小石; 石 is the general word for stone or rock and only means a pebble when context makes the small size clear, while 「石ころ」 suggests a small loose stone lying on the ground.

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

• 石いしstone
• 小石こいしpebble
• 石ころいしころ(small) stone
• 玉石たまいしpebble
• 石塊せっかいstone
• 砂石させきsand and stone
• 円石えんせきround stone
• 石つぶていしつぶてthrowing stone
• ささらpebble