Meaning

Primary

Rock

Word Type

noun

Explanation

Boulder and stone are really just different types of rock. This is a more formal, technical way to say rock, so it's often used in scientific and geological contexts.

Reading

がんせき
  • Miyuki
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

This is a jukugo word that uses on'yomi readings of the kanji. You didn't learn this reading for though, so here's a mnemonic to help you:

You walk into a presentation on rocks by none other than Gandhi (がん) himself. Who knew that Gandhi had such a passion for rocks? Imagine him carefully lifting rock after rock, explaining their various characteristics to a rapt audience.

Context

Common Word Combinations

  • 岩石が見つかる

    rocks are found

    岩石が風化する

    rocks weather

    岩石がとける

    rocks melt

Context Sentences

先週、とてもめずらしい岩石が発見されました。

A very rare rock was discovered last week.

この岩石は月から来たのではないかと言われています。

They say that this rock may have come from the moon.

あの島は火山の岩石でできています。

That island is made of volcanic rock.

Kanji Composition