Japanese word

砂利

Pronunciation

Romajijari

Meaning

  • noungravel

Example

庭に砂利を敷きます。niwa ni ja ri o shi ki ma su

I spread gravel in the garden.

Illustration for 砂利 (gravel)

More examples

雨の後、庭の砂利が少し沈みました。ame no ato niwa no ja ri ga suko shi shizu mi ma shi ta

After the rain, the gravel in the garden sank a little.

Core concept

Describes small stones that are spread over the ground to form a rough, loose surface.

Common phrases

  • 砂利を敷くja ri o shi ku

    spread gravel

  • 砂利を敷き詰めるja ri o shi ki tsu me ru

    cover with gravel

  • 砂利道ja ri michi

    gravel road

Similar words

礫reki: Small stones that occur naturally on the ground or in a riverbed.
小石koishi: One small stone found on the ground or in water.

Definition in Japanese

地面に敷き詰めたり混ぜたりする、粒の細かい石。ji men ni shi ki tsu me ta ri ma ze ta ri su ru tsubu no koma ka i ishi

Word origin

砂利 (jari) is a Japanese word of uncertain origin, and its written form is not a reliable combination of the separate meanings of 砂 (sa, "sand") and 利 (ri, "benefit").

Usage tips

  • In Japanese dry landscape gardens, 砂利 (jari) is often raked into lines that represent flowing water.

Other meanings

  • pebblesnoun

Word lists with this word