石ころ・石塊|いしころishikoro[3]nakadaka (mid-high)

1. noun(small) stone; rock; pebble
   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.

• Synonym小石こいしNeutralA neutral, objective word for a small stone or pebble. 「石ころ」 is more colloquial and suggests stones lying about that are of no value.
• Related岩いわNeutralA large rock or boulder, far bigger than a 「石ころ」, as in 「岩に登る」.
• Related岩石がんせきWrittenA written, scientific term for rock used in geology, as in 「岩石の標本」.
• RelatedじゃりNeutralGravel or small stones, typically spoken of for paving, as in 「砂利道」; also a colloquial name for a small child.
• Relatedさざれ石さざれいしWrittenA written, rather archaic word for tiny stones, known from the line 「さざれ石の」 in Japan's national anthem.
• Related玉砂利たまじゃりNeutralSmooth, rounded gravel, typically spread on the approaches to shrines.
• Related砂礫されきWrittenA written word for sand and pebbles, leaning toward geological description, as in 「砂礫地」.
• Related石子いしこCasualColloquial with a dialectal flavor; means small stones but is little used. Close in sense to 「石ころ」.

Use 「石ころ」 for the small stones you see lying around; it is colloquial and can also mean something worthless, as in 「石ころ同然」. For a neutral small stone say 「小石」, for paving gravel 「砂利」, and for a big rock 「岩」.

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

1. 石いしの塊かたまり。