Meaning and Usage
The word "石" (いし) primarily means "stone" or "rock." It refers to natural solid mineral material found outdoors or used in construction and decoration.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "石" when talking about gardens, rivers, or building materials. It can be used literally to describe physical stones or metaphorically in some expressions.
Collocations and Patterns
- 石を投げる (いしをなげる): to throw a stone; used literally or figuratively.
- 大きな石 (おおきないし): a big stone; common descriptive phrase.
- 石が滑る (いしがすべる): stones are slippery; used when warning about safety.
Register and Politeness
"石" is a neutral noun and can be used in both casual and formal contexts without change.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "石" (stone) with "岩" (いわ), which means a larger rock or boulder. "石" usually refers to smaller stones or pebbles, while "岩" implies bigger, more massive rocks.