Translation guide
Describes stones that are not fixed in place, such as loose paving stones, rocks on a trail, or a gemstone removed from its setting.
The stone is physically unstable, wobbly, or detached from its surroundings.
Natural way to describe a stone that wobbles when stepped on or touched. 'ぐらぐら' is an onomatopoeia for unsteadiness.
この石畳、ぐらぐらした石が多くて歩きにくい。
These cobblestones have a lot of loose stones and are hard to walk on.
More literal 'unstable stone', used in slightly more formal or written contexts.
壁の不安定な石が落ちそうだ。
The loose stones in the wall look like they might fall.
Technical or explanatory phrase meaning 'unfixed stone'. Used in construction or safety reports.
固定されていない石につまずいた。
I tripped on a loose stone.
A gemstone that has come out of its jewelry setting or is sold as a single stone.
Used when a gemstone has fallen out of a ring, pendant, etc. '外れた' means 'come off/detached'.
指輪から外れた石をなくしてしまった。
I lost the loose stone from my ring.
Loanword from English 'loose stone', commonly used in jewelry shops and by collectors.
このルースストーンをペンダントにしたい。
I want to make this loose stone into a pendant.
Technical term in jewelry industry meaning 'bare stone' or 'unset gem'. Not common in everyday speech.
裸石の状態で購入しました。
I bought it as a loose stone.
Small rocks or stones that are loose on the ground, making a surface unstable.
Literally 'floating stone', used for stones that are not firmly embedded in the ground, often on hiking trails.
登山道には浮き石が多いので気をつけて。
There are many loose stones on the trail, so be careful.
Means 'stones lying around', implying they are loose and not fixed. Casual and descriptive.
道に転がっている石で滑りやすい。
It's slippery because of the loose stones on the road.