also: ざり
noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
Refers to small stones or crushed rock used for paths, construction, or railway ballast. Can also be used adjectivally with の.
庭に砂利を敷いた。
I spread gravel in the garden.
線路の砂利が雨で流された。
The ballast on the railway track was washed away by the rain.
noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
Only with reading じゃり
Colloquial, slightly rough or affectionate term for a small child. Usually written in kana. The reading is always じゃり.
うちのじゃりがまたいたずらした。
My rugrat got into mischief again.
公園でじゃりたちが遊んでいる。
The kids are playing in the park.
Kana spelling is usual for the colloquial 'child' sense.
Rare reading for the gravel sense; not commonly used.
The kanji 砂 (sand) and 利 (profit/advantage) are used phonetically for the reading じゃり, which is of uncertain origin. The slang sense 'child' likely derives from the small size of gravel, comparing children to pebbles.