礫
small stones
Readings
On'yomi
- レキ
Kun'yomi
- つぶて
- こいし
Meaning
礫 centers on small stones, especially pebbles or gravel. The meaning is concrete and narrow, without broad abstract extensions.
Most common words using 礫
- 瓦礫がれき
rubble; debris; wreckage; tiles and pebbles
- 礫れき
small stone; gravel
- 礫つぶて
stone (used for throwing)
- 砂礫されき
pebbles
- 天狗礫てんぐつぶて
rock flying out of nowhere (while in the mountains)
- 巨礫きょれき
boulder
- 梨の礫なしのつぶて
not getting a reply
- 火山礫かざんれき
lapilli
- 石礫せきれき
pellet; pebble; small rock
- 礫器れっき
chopping tool; chopping stoneware
- 礫土れきど
gravelly soil
- 礫岩れきがん
conglomerate stone
- 礫石器れきせっき
chopping tool; chopping stoneware
- 紙礫かみつぶて
paper pellet; spitball
- 角礫岩かくれきがん
breccia
- 闇夜の礫やみよのつぶて
aimless attempt; crapshoot; shot in the dark
Study
Etymology
礫 combines 石 (stone) with 樂, which likely contributes the sound レキ. The character specifically denotes small stones or pebbles.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side is 石 (stone), and the right side 樂 looks like a pile of small objects. Picture a heap of tiny stones: 礫 means small stones or pebbles.
Reading mnemonic
For レキ, imagine a pile of small stones making a rattling sound like 'reki-reki' when shaken. The sound 'reki' cues レキ.