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A2 noun #8,000 सबसे आम 11 मिनट पढ़ने का समय

caillou

इसका अभ्यास करें उदाहरण नोट्स और सुझाव caillou 30 सेकंड में
व्याख्या caillou in your Level:
At the A1 level, you should learn 'caillou' as a basic noun for a small stone. You will encounter it in simple descriptions of nature or in very basic stories. At this stage, focus on the fact that it is a masculine noun ('un caillou') and that it refers to something you can hold in your hand. You might use it to describe what you see on a walk: 'Je vois un caillou.' It is a useful word for building your vocabulary of physical objects in the environment. Don't worry too much about the complex plural yet, but try to recognize it when you see it. Think of it as a synonym for a small 'pierre'. It's one of those tangible words that help you connect with the world around you in French. You'll often see it in children's books or very simple reading exercises about the outdoors. Remember, it's 'le caillou' and not 'la caillou'. Keeping the gender straight from the beginning is key to long-term success in French grammar. Imagine a small pebble in your hand as you say the word to help anchor the meaning in your mind. It's a short, easy-to-pronounce word that will appear frequently as you progress.
पूरी व्याख्या पढ़ने के लिए मुफ़्त साइन अप करें
At the A2 level, the word 'caillou' becomes more important because of its irregular plural form. You are likely learning about nouns that end in '-ou' and how they usually take an '-s' for the plural. However, 'caillou' is one of the seven exceptions that take an '-x' instead: 'des cailloux'. This is a crucial grammatical point for A2 learners. You should also start using 'caillou' in more descriptive sentences. Instead of just saying 'I see a stone,' you might say 'The path is full of stones' (Le chemin est plein de cailloux). You might also encounter the word in the context of childhood games, like throwing stones into the water. Knowing the difference between 'caillou' (a pebble) and 'pierre' (a stone/material) becomes more relevant here. You can use 'caillou' to add detail to your stories about vacations, hikes, or nature. It's also a good time to learn related words like 'caillouteux' (stony) to describe a road or a path. This level is about expanding your ability to describe the world, and 'caillou' is a perfect building block for that.
By the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'caillou' in both literal and slightly more figurative contexts. You might encounter idioms like 'avoir un caillou dans sa chaussure' (to have a pebble in one's shoe), which means having a small but annoying problem. Understanding these common expressions is a key part of moving toward intermediate fluency. You should also be able to distinguish 'caillou' from more specific terms like 'galet' (a smooth pebble) or 'gravier' (gravel). In your writing, you can use 'caillou' to create more vivid imagery. For example, you might describe the sound of stones crunching underfoot: 'Le bruit des cailloux sous nos pas'. You are also likely to encounter the word in more complex texts, perhaps in news reports about road conditions or in literature. The story of 'Le Petit Poucet' (Hop-o'-My-Thumb) is a great cultural reference to explore at this level, as the 'petits cailloux blancs' are a central part of the plot. This level is where you start to see the word as part of a larger cultural and idiomatic framework, not just a simple object name.
पूरी व्याख्या पढ़ने के लिए मुफ़्त साइन अप करें
At the B2 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of 'caillou' and its various registers. You might use it in slang to refer to someone's head ('le caillou'), particularly in a humorous or informal way. You should also be aware of more advanced idioms and how they are used in conversation. For example, 'casser des cailloux' can refer to doing hard, repetitive work, similar to 'breaking stones' in a prison camp of the past. Your ability to choose between 'caillou', 'pierre', 'rocher', and 'galet' should be precise, reflecting the exact size and texture you wish to convey. You might also encounter the word in technical or scientific contexts, such as geology or archeology, where the properties of the 'cailloux' are discussed in detail. At B2, you are expected to understand the subtle connotations the word might carry in different regions of the Francophonie. You can use the word effectively in debates or discussions about the environment, construction, or even in metaphorical descriptions of people's characters (e.g., 'un cœur de caillou').
पूरी व्याख्या पढ़ने के लिए मुफ़्त साइन अप करें
At the C1 level, your use of 'caillou' should be sophisticated and contextually perfect. You might use it in literary analysis to discuss symbolism—for instance, how stones represent permanence or coldness in a poem. You should be familiar with rare or regional uses of the word and be able to understand wordplay involving its irregular plural or its slang meanings. Your vocabulary should include related terms like 'cailloutis' (a layer of stones) or 'encaillouter' (to cover with stones), which are more technical. You can appreciate the rhythm and sound of the word in poetry or prose, where 'caillou' might be chosen for its hard 'c' sound and soft 'ou' ending. At this level, you should also be able to translate complex English concepts involving stones into the most appropriate French equivalent, whether that's 'caillou', 'pierre', or something else entirely. You understand the historical weight of the word, from its Gaulish roots to its place in modern French identity through literature and song. Your mastery of 'caillou' reflects a deep immersion in the language.
पूरी व्याख्या पढ़ने के लिए मुफ़्त साइन अप करें
At the C2 level, 'caillou' is a word you can manipulate with the ease of a native speaker. You understand its full range of meanings, from the most literal geological definition to the most obscure slang or regional variation. You can use it in highly formal academic writing about mineralogy or in the most casual street slang without missing a beat. You are aware of the word's etymological journey and how it relates to other Indo-European terms for stones. You can use 'caillou' as a metaphor in complex philosophical discussions about nature, materiality, or human perception. Your understanding of the word is so deep that you can recognize its use in puns, double entendres, and sophisticated literary metaphors. For a C2 learner, 'caillou' is not just a vocabulary word; it is a versatile tool in a vast linguistic toolkit, used to convey precise shades of meaning, evoke specific cultural memories, and navigate the complexities of French social registers. You can discuss the evolution of the '-ou' plural exceptions and the linguistic debates surrounding them with authority.
पूरी व्याख्या पढ़ने के लिए मुफ़्त साइन अप करें
इसका अभ्यास करें उदाहरण नोट्स और सुझाव

caillou 30 सेकंड में

  • Caillou means a small stone or pebble, often found in nature or on paths.
  • The plural is irregular: 'cailloux' (with an 'x' instead of an 's').
  • It is a masculine noun: 'un caillou' or 'le caillou'.
  • Metaphorically, it can mean the 'head' in slang or a 'minor problem' in idioms.

The French word caillou primarily refers to a small stone, often one that has been smoothed by the elements or found in nature. While English speakers might simply say 'stone' or 'pebble,' the French language distinguishes between different sizes and textures of stones with precision. A caillou is typically larger than gravier (gravel) but smaller than a rocher (rock or boulder). It is the kind of stone a child might pick up on a path, throw into a river, or find stuck in the tread of a tire. The word carries a sense of commonality; it is an everyday object found underfoot, yet it holds a special place in the French linguistic landscape due to its irregular plural form and its frequent appearance in folklore and idioms.

Physical Description
A small, hard mineral mass. It can be jagged or smooth, but in general usage, it implies something portable and solid.

L'enfant a ramassé un petit caillou blanc sur le sentier pour retrouver son chemin.

Beyond its literal meaning, caillou is used metaphorically in several contexts. In informal French, it can refer to the human head, especially if it is bald. This usage is somewhat humorous and colloquial. For instance, one might say someone has 'un caillou bien poli' (a well-polished stone) to describe a bald head. Furthermore, in the world of jewelry, caillou can be a slang term for a precious stone or a diamond, though this is strictly informal. Understanding the context is crucial; while a geologist sees a mineral specimen, a jeweler might see a gem, and a hiker sees a potential nuisance in their boot.

Metaphorical Use
Refers to the head in slang, or occasionally a precious gem in the context of jewelry theft or trade.

Il s'est cogné le caillou contre l'étagère basse.

In children's literature, the word is immortalized by 'Le Petit Poucet' (Hop-o'-My-Thumb), who uses white pebbles to mark his trail through the forest. This cultural touchstone makes the word feel nostalgic and foundational to French speakers. When you use the word caillou, you aren't just talking about geology; you are often tapping into a shared cultural memory of childhood exploration and the simple textures of the natural world.

Geological Context
Used to describe debris from erosion or the components of a riverbed.

La rivière a poli les cailloux pendant des siècles.

Attention où tu marches, il y a beaucoup de cailloux glissants ici.

Using caillou correctly involves understanding its grammatical quirks and its descriptive power. The most important rule for learners is the pluralization. While most French nouns ending in '-ou' take an '-s' (like clous or trous), caillou is part of the famous 'sept exceptions' that take an '-x'. This is a frequent test question for French schoolchildren and a marker of a well-informed learner. You will write un caillou but des cailloux. This distinction is purely orthographic, as the pronunciation remains the same (/ka.ju/).

Grammar Rule
Plural: cailloux. Memorize it alongside: bijou, chou, genou, hibou, joujou, pou.

Elle a rempli ses poches de cailloux brillants.

When describing actions involving a caillou, verbs like ramasser (to pick up), lancer (to throw), jeter (to toss), and ricocher (to skip across water) are common. If you are walking on a path made of these stones, you would describe the path as being caillouteux (stony). This adjective is very useful for describing terrain in hiking or cycling contexts. For example, 'Le chemin est très caillouteux, fais attention à tes chevilles' (The path is very stony, watch your ankles).

Verb Pairings
Lancer un caillou (to throw a stone), faire des ricochets avec un caillou (to skip a stone).

Nous avons passé l'après-midi à jeter des cailloux dans le lac.

In a figurative sense, you can use caillou to describe a minor obstacle. The phrase 'un caillou dans ma chaussure' is a direct equivalent of 'a pebble in my shoe,' referring to a small but persistent problem that prevents progress or causes discomfort. It is a very evocative image that French speakers use in both professional and personal contexts to describe annoying details that need to be resolved.

Figurative Sentence
Cette petite erreur administrative est un vrai caillou dans ma chaussure.

Il a un caillou à la place du cœur.

Le vent faisait rouler les petits cailloux sur le bitume.

Finally, when discussing construction or gardening, caillou might be used to describe the aggregate mixed into cement or the stones used for drainage. In these technical contexts, the word remains the same, but the scale might refer to a large quantity of stones rather than a single individual pebble. 'Il faut rajouter des cailloux au fond du pot pour le drainage' (You need to add some pebbles at the bottom of the pot for drainage).

You will encounter the word caillou in a variety of everyday settings in France and other French-speaking countries. One of the most common places is in nature. If you are hiking in the Alps or the Pyrenees, you will frequently hear people warn each other about les cailloux instables (unstable stones) or les chutes de cailloux (falling rocks). On the coast, particularly on the pebble beaches of Normandy (like Étretat), the word galet is often preferred for those smooth, sea-washed stones, but caillou is still widely used in general conversation.

Outdoor Context
Nature trails, riverbanks, and mountain slopes where loose stones are present.

Fais attention, il y a des cailloux qui tombent de la falaise.

In the domestic sphere, parents often use the word when talking to children. 'Ne lance pas de cailloux !' (Don't throw stones!) is a classic parental refrain. Children themselves are often fascinated by cailloux, collecting them because of their shape or color. This leads to the word appearing frequently in children's songs and stories. The famous nursery rhyme 'Dans ma culotte, j'ai des cailloux' or references to 'Le Petit Poucet' are ubiquitous in French childhood. If you are watching French cartoons or reading bedtime stories, you will see this word often.

Family Life
Used when supervising children outdoors or reading classic fairy tales.

Regarde maman, j'ai trouvé un caillou qui ressemble à un cœur !

In the workplace, particularly in construction or roadwork, caillou is a standard term. Workers might talk about étaler des cailloux (spreading stones) to create a base for a road or a terrace. If you are visiting a DIY store like Leroy Merlin or Castorama, you will see bags of cailloux décoratifs for landscaping. Even in urban settings, you might hear the word if someone's windshield is cracked by a flying stone: 'Un caillou a sauté sur mon pare-brise' (A stone jumped onto my windshield).

Urban/Work Context
Construction sites, landscaping, and road-related incidents.

Les ouvriers déchargent un tas de cailloux devant la maison.

J'ai un caillou coincé dans la semelle de ma chaussure.

The most frequent mistake learners make with caillou is undoubtedly the plural. Because the general rule in French is to add an '-s' to nouns ending in '-ou' (like trous, fous, sous), many students instinctively write caillous. This is incorrect. You must remember the specific list of seven nouns that take '-x': bijoux, cailloux, choux, genoux, hiboux, joujoux, poux. A common mnemonic for this is to imagine a 'bijou' (jewel) falling on your 'genou' (knee) and finding a 'caillou' (stone) next to a 'chou' (cabbage) where a 'hibou' (owl) is playing with a 'joujou' (toy) covered in 'poux' (lice).

Spelling Error
Writing 'caillous' instead of 'cailloux'. Always use the 'x' for the plural.

Faux: Il y a des caillous partout. Vrai: Il y a des cailloux partout.

Another common error is confusing caillou with pierre. While they both mean 'stone,' they are not always interchangeable. Pierre is the general term for the material (like 'stone' or 'rock' in English) and is used for building materials ('une maison en pierre') or large, immovable rocks. Caillou is specifically a small, detached piece of stone. You wouldn't say 'une maison en caillou' unless it was literally made of tiny pebbles. Conversely, you wouldn't usually say you have 'une pierre' in your shoe; 'un caillou' is much more natural for that specific context.

Usage Confusion
Using 'pierre' for a small pebble or 'caillou' for a large boulder or building material.

J'ai trouvé une grosse pierre (not caillou) pour bloquer la porte.

Learners also sometimes struggle with the gender. Caillou is masculine (un caillou, le caillou). Mixing up the gender can lead to incorrect adjective agreement, such as saying 'une petite caillou' instead of 'un petit caillou.' Finally, in slang contexts, avoid using le caillou to mean 'head' in formal situations. While it's common in casual speech, it could come across as disrespectful or overly familiar in a professional setting or when speaking to elders.

Gender Mistake
Thinking 'caillou' is feminine. It is always masculine: le caillou, les cailloux.

C'est un caillou très dur.

Elle a jeté le caillou dans l'eau.

French has a rich vocabulary for stones and rocks, and knowing which word to use can greatly enhance your fluency. The most direct alternative is pierre. While caillou is a small, loose stone, pierre is the broader category. Think of 'stone' vs 'rock'. If you are talking about the substance something is made of, use pierre. If you are talking about a small object you can throw, caillou is usually better. Another common word is galet, which refers specifically to a pebble smoothed by water. You find galets on beaches or in riverbeds. They are usually flat and rounded, perfect for skipping across the water.

Caillou vs Pierre
Caillou: Small, detachable. Pierre: General material or larger stone.

La plage est couverte de galets ronds.

If you are dealing with very small stones, you might use gravier (gravel). This is typically used for driveways or construction. For something much larger than a caillou, you would use rocher (rock/boulder) or bloc (block). A rocher is usually part of the landscape, like a cliff face or a large mountain rock. You can climb a rocher, but you can only pick up a caillou. In a more technical or geological sense, you might hear roche, which refers to the type of rock (e.g., roche sédimentaire).

Caillou vs Rocher
Caillou: Hand-sized or smaller. Rocher: Immense, often part of the earth.

Il y a trop de gravier dans l'allée du jardin.

In metaphorical language, if you want to describe someone as having a 'heart of stone,' you would say they have 'un cœur de pierre' rather than 'un cœur de caillou.' However, as mentioned before, the slang for 'head' is specifically le caillou. You wouldn't use la pierre to mean 'head.' In jewelry, while caillou is slang for a gem, the formal term is pierre précieuse. Understanding these nuances helps you sound more like a native speaker and prevents confusing your listeners with inappropriate imagery.

Jewelry Context
Formal: Pierre précieuse. Slang: Caillou.

Elle porte une magnifique pierre précieuse au doigt.

Le grimpeur s'accroche au rocher.

How Formal Is It?

रोचक तथ्य

The 'x' in the plural 'cailloux' is a remnant of medieval scribal habits where the letter 's' was often written as a flourish that looked like an 'x' after the letter 'u'.

उच्चारण मार्गदर्शिका

UK /ka.ju/
US /ka.ju/
The stress is equal on both syllables, as is typical in French.
तुकबंदी
bijou chou genou hibou joujou pou mou fou
आम गलतियाँ
  • Pronouncing the 'l' sounds (it should be silent).
  • Pronouncing the 'x' in the plural (it is silent).
  • Making the 'ou' sound like 'ow' (as in 'cow').
  • Over-emphasizing the first syllable.
  • Confusing the 'ai' sound with 'ay' (as in 'stay').

कठिनाई स्तर

पठन 2/5

Easy to recognize, though the plural 'x' might be confusing at first.

लिखना 3/5

The irregular plural 'cailloux' is a common spelling trap.

बोलना 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward as long as the 'l' is kept silent.

श्रवण 2/5

Easy to hear, but can be confused with 'caillou' (the name) or 'caillé'.

आगे क्या सीखें

पूर्वापेक्षाएँ

pierre petit chemin eau lancer

आगे सीखें

galet gravier rocher caillouteux montagne

उन्नत

granulométrie lithique sédimentaire encailloutage érosion

ज़रूरी व्याकरण

Plural of nouns ending in -ou

Most take -s (trous), but seven take -x (cailloux).

Masculine vs Feminine adjectives

Un petit caillou (masculine) vs une petite pierre (feminine).

Partitive articles with mass nouns

Il y a du gravier (mass), but il y a des cailloux (countable).

Prepositions of place

Le caillou est DANS la chaussure, SUR le chemin, SOUS la voiture.

Agreement of color adjectives

Des cailloux blancs (masculine plural).

पूरी व्याख्या पढ़ने के लिए मुफ़्त साइन अप करें

स्तर के अनुसार उदाहरण

1

C'est un petit caillou.

It is a small pebble.

Simple subject-verb-object structure.

2

Le caillou est gris.

The pebble is grey.

Definite article 'le' used with masculine noun.

3

J'ai un caillou.

I have a stone.

Use of 'avoir' with 'un caillou'.

4

Regarde le caillou !

Look at the stone!

Imperative form of 'regarder'.

5

Le caillou est sur la table.

The stone is on the table.

Preposition 'sur' indicating location.

6

Il ramasse un caillou.

He picks up a stone.

Present tense of 'ramasser'.

7

Le caillou est dur.

The stone is hard.

Adjective 'dur' agreeing with masculine noun.

8

Où est le caillou ?

Where is the stone?

Question word 'où' used for location.

1

Il y a beaucoup de cailloux sur le chemin.

There are many pebbles on the path.

Plural 'cailloux' with 'x'.

2

Les enfants lancent des cailloux dans l'eau.

The children are throwing stones into the water.

Plural 'des cailloux'.

3

Elle a un caillou dans sa chaussure.

She has a pebble in her shoe.

Common situational phrase.

4

Ce caillou est très lisse.

This pebble is very smooth.

Demonstrative adjective 'ce'.

5

Mes poches sont pleines de cailloux.

My pockets are full of pebbles.

Adjective 'pleines' agreeing with feminine 'poches'.

6

Ne jette pas ce caillou !

Don't throw that stone!

Negative imperative.

7

Nous avons trouvé des cailloux blancs.

We found some white pebbles.

Adjective 'blancs' in plural.

8

Le caillou a roulé sous la voiture.

The stone rolled under the car.

Passé composé of 'rouler'.

1

Le Petit Poucet semait des cailloux pour retrouver sa maison.

Hop-o'-My-Thumb was sowing pebbles to find his house.

Imparfait tense for habitual action.

2

Le chemin caillouteux rend la randonnée difficile.

The stony path makes the hike difficult.

Adjective 'caillouteux' derived from 'caillou'.

3

J'ai un petit caillou dans ma chaussure qui me gêne.

I have a little pebble in my shoe that is bothering me.

Relative clause starting with 'qui'.

4

Elle collectionne les cailloux de formes bizarres.

She collects pebbles with strange shapes.

Verb 'collectionner'.

5

Le bruit des cailloux sous les pneus est relaxant.

The sound of pebbles under the tires is relaxing.

Noun complement 'des cailloux sous les pneus'.

6

Faisons des ricochets avec ces cailloux plats.

Let's skip stones with these flat pebbles.

Expression 'faire des ricochets'.

7

Il a reçu un caillou sur la tête.

He got hit on the head by a stone.

Passé composé with 'recevoir'.

8

Le jardinier a mis des cailloux au fond du pot.

The gardener put pebbles at the bottom of the pot.

Technical use for drainage.

1

Cette petite erreur est un caillou dans ma chaussure pour ce projet.

This small error is a pebble in my shoe for this project.

Metaphorical use of the idiom.

2

Il s'est encore cogné le caillou en rentrant dans la cave.

He bumped his head again while going into the cellar.

Informal slang 'le caillou' for head.

3

Le voleur cherchait des cailloux de grande valeur.

The thief was looking for high-value gems.

Slang for precious stones in a criminal context.

4

Il faut encaillouter cette allée avant l'hiver.

We need to gravel this path before winter.

Verb 'encaillouter' (to gravel).

5

Elle a un caillou à la place du cœur, elle est sans pitié.

She has a stone instead of a heart; she is pitiless.

Idiom for lack of empathy.

6

On dirait qu'il a passé sa vie à casser des cailloux.

It looks like he spent his life breaking stones.

Idiom for hard labor.

7

Le vent était si fort qu'il faisait voler les petits cailloux.

The wind was so strong it made the small stones fly.

Consecutive clause with 'si... que'.

8

C'est un vrai caillou, il ne comprend rien !

He's a real blockhead; he understands nothing!

Metaphor for being stubborn or slow-witted.

1

L'écrivain décrit avec précision chaque caillou du rivage.

The writer describes each pebble on the shore with precision.

Literary use of precise description.

2

Se casser le caillou sur un problème mathématique est épuisant.

Racking one's brain over a math problem is exhausting.

Idiomatic expression 'se casser le caillou'.

3

La route était parsemée de cailloux tranchants.

The road was strewn with sharp pebbles.

Adjective 'parsemée' (strewn).

4

Il a le caillou bien poli pour son âge.

He has a very polished head (bald) for his age.

Humorous slang for baldness.

5

L'accumulation de cailloux forme un talus naturel.

The accumulation of pebbles forms a natural embankment.

Technical/Geological description.

6

Elle ne se laisse pas attendrir, elle est dure comme un caillou.

She doesn't let herself be softened; she is as hard as a stone.

Simile 'dure comme un caillou'.

7

Le sculpteur a trouvé un caillou dont la forme l'inspirait.

The sculptor found a stone whose shape inspired him.

Relative pronoun 'dont'.

8

On entendait le roulement des cailloux emportés par le courant.

One could hear the rolling of the pebbles carried away by the current.

Abstract noun 'roulement'.

1

L'encailloutage de la voie ferrée assure sa stabilité.

The ballasting of the railway track ensures its stability.

Technical term 'encailloutage'.

2

Sa prose est aride, parsemée de mots comme autant de cailloux.

His prose is arid, strewn with words like so many pebbles.

Advanced literary metaphor.

3

Il a fallu trier les cailloux par granulométrie.

The stones had to be sorted by grain size.

Technical/Scientific vocabulary.

4

Le caillou gaulois a survécu dans notre langue moderne.

The Gaulish 'caillou' has survived in our modern language.

Reference to etymological history.

5

Sous le vernis de la civilisation, le caillou de la brutalité demeure.

Under the varnish of civilization, the stone of brutality remains.

Philosophical metaphor.

6

L'érosion a réduit la montagne à l'état de simples cailloux.

Erosion has reduced the mountain to the state of simple pebbles.

Geological process description.

7

C'est dans les petits cailloux du quotidien que se cache le bonheur.

It is in the small pebbles of everyday life that happiness is hidden.

Poetic/Philosophical use.

8

Il s'est esquinté le caillou à force de réfléchir.

He wore out his brain by thinking too much.

Highly informal/slang 'esquinter le caillou'.

समानार्थी शब्द

pierre galet gravier rocher pierrette cailloutis gemme boule

विलोम शब्द

sable poussière mollesse vide

सामान्य शब्द संयोजन

petit caillou
tas de cailloux
chemin de cailloux
lancer un caillou
ramasser un caillou
cailloux blancs
plein de cailloux
caillou pointu
caillou lisse
pluie de cailloux

सामान्य वाक्यांश

un caillou dans la chaussure

— A small but persistent problem or annoyance.

Ce retard est un caillou dans ma chaussure.

cœur de caillou

— Someone who is insensitive or has no feelings.

Il ne pleure jamais, il a un cœur de caillou.

casser des cailloux

— To perform hard, tedious, and poorly paid work.

Il a l'impression de casser des cailloux toute la journée.

semer des cailloux

— To leave clues or traces to find one's way back.

Elle sème des cailloux dans ses notes pour réviser.

se casser le caillou

— To think very hard or struggle with a difficult problem.

Je me suis cassé le caillou sur cette énigme.

avoir le caillou bien poli

— To be completely bald.

Mon grand-père a le caillou bien poli.

dur comme un caillou

— Very hard, either physically or emotionally.

Le pain est devenu dur comme un caillou.

un caillou dans le jardin

— An indirect criticism or attack (similar to 'une pierre dans le jardin').

Sa remarque était un petit caillou dans mon jardin.

chercher des cailloux

— To look for something small or specific, often in nature.

Les enfants passent des heures à chercher des cailloux.

faire des ricochets avec un caillou

— To skip a stone across water.

Il est très doué pour faire des ricochets avec un caillou.

अक्सर इससे भ्रम होता है

caillou vs caillé

Sounds similar but means 'curdled' (like milk) or 'clotted' (like blood).

caillou vs cahier

Starts similarly but means 'notebook'.

caillou vs caillou (the character)

A famous cartoon character, though the name comes from the same word.

मुहावरे और अभिव्यक्तियाँ

"Avoir un caillou dans sa chaussure"

— To have a minor but constant source of irritation.

Cette dette est un caillou dans ma chaussure.

informal
"Se casser le caillou"

— To exert great mental effort.

Arrête de te casser le caillou pour si peu.

informal
"Avoir un caillou à la place du cœur"

— To be cold and unfeeling.

Elle n'a aucune empathie, c'est un caillou à la place du cœur.

neutral
"Casser des cailloux"

— To do menial or exhausting labor.

Je n'ai pas fait d'études pour casser des cailloux.

informal
"Le caillou"

— The head (specifically a bald one).

Il a pris un coup sur le caillou.

slang
"Semer ses petits cailloux"

— To prepare a path or leave signs for later use.

L'enquêteur sème ses petits cailloux pour piéger le coupable.

neutral
"Un caillou"

— A diamond or precious stone.

Regarde le caillou qu'elle a sur sa bague !

slang
"Dur comme un caillou"

— Extremely hard or stubborn.

Il ne changera pas d'avis, il est dur comme un caillou.

neutral
"Vendre des cailloux"

— To sell something worthless as if it were valuable.

Ce marchand essaie de nous vendre des cailloux.

informal
"Tomber sur un caillou"

— To encounter an unexpected obstacle.

On avançait bien, mais on est tombé sur un caillou.

informal

आसानी से भ्रमित होने वाले

caillou vs pierre

Both mean stone.

'Pierre' is the material or larger stones; 'caillou' is a small, loose stone.

Une maison en pierre, un caillou dans la main.

caillou vs galet

Both refer to small stones.

'Galet' is specifically smooth and rounded by water.

Les galets de Nice.

caillou vs rocher

Both are rocks.

'Rocher' is a large boulder or cliff; 'caillou' is small.

Escalader un rocher.

caillou vs gravier

Both are small stones.

'Gravier' is a mass of very tiny stones used for roads.

Marcher sur le gravier.

caillou vs roche

Geological terms.

'Roche' refers to the type of stone or large formations; 'caillou' is the object.

La roche sédimentaire.

वाक्य संरचनाएँ

A1

C'est un [adjectif] caillou.

C'est un joli caillou.

A2

Il y a des cailloux [préposition] [nom].

Il y a des cailloux sur la route.

B1

J'ai un caillou qui [verbe].

J'ai un caillou qui me fait mal.

B2

C'est un vrai caillou dans [nom].

C'est un vrai caillou dans ma chaussure.

C1

Le [nom] est parsemé de cailloux.

Le rivage est parsemé de cailloux.

C2

À force de [verbe], il s'est cassé le caillou.

À force de chercher, il s'est cassé le caillou.

A2

Ne [verbe] pas de cailloux !

Ne lance pas de cailloux !

B1

Faire des [nom] avec un caillou.

Faire des ricochets avec un caillou.

शब्द परिवार

संज्ञा

cailloutis (gravel/ballast)
encailloutage (graveling)
cailloutage (pavement of stones)

क्रिया

caillouter (to cover with stones)
encaillouter (to ballast or gravel)

विशेषण

caillouteux (stony/gravelly)

संबंधित

pierre
roche
gravier
galet
lithique
सभी उदाहरण देखने के लिए मुफ़्त साइन अप करें

इसे कैसे इस्तेमाल करें

frequency

Very common in daily life and nature contexts.

सामान्य गलतियाँ
  • caillous → cailloux

    The plural takes an 'x', not an 's'.

  • la caillou → le caillou

    The word is masculine.

  • une maison en caillou → une maison en pierre

    Use 'pierre' for building materials.

  • pronouncing the 'll' → /ka.ju/

    The 'll' is silent.

  • using 'rocher' for a pebble → caillou

    A 'rocher' is a large rock/boulder.

सुझाव

The -x Plural

Always remember the 'x' for the plural. It's a classic mistake even for natives sometimes!

Size Matters

Use 'caillou' for anything smaller than a fist and larger than a grain of rice.

Petit Poucet

Reference the white pebbles to show your cultural knowledge of French fairy tales.

Silent LL

Don't say 'cal-you'. The 'll' is silent, making it 'ka-you'.

Shoe Pebble

Use 'un caillou dans la chaussure' to describe that one annoying task you keep putting off.

Bald Head

Use 'le caillou' humorously with friends to talk about a bald head.

Drainage

In gardening, 'cailloux' at the bottom of a pot are essential for healthy plants.

Adjective Agreement

Since it's masculine, make sure adjectives like 'blanc' or 'petit' match.

Galet

If the stone is very smooth from the sea, 'galet' is a more sophisticated word choice.

Gaulish Roots

It's one of the few words in French that survived from the ancient Gaulish language.

याद करें

स्मृति सहायक

Remember the 7 'ou-x' words: Bijou, Caillou, Chou, Genou, Hibou, Joujou, Pou. (Jewel, Pebble, Cabbage, Knee, Owl, Toy, Louse).

दृश्य संबंध

Imagine a small white pebble (caillou) inside a shoe (chaussure) to remember the idiom and the object.

Word Web

pierre galet gravier rocher montagne chemin chaussure lancer

चैलेंज

Write three sentences using 'caillou' in the singular and three in the plural, ensuring you use the 'x' correctly.

शब्द की उत्पत्ति

The word 'caillou' comes from the Old French 'caillou' or 'chaillou'. It is believed to have Gaulish (Celtic) origins, specifically from the root '*caljo-' meaning stone.

मूल अर्थ: Small stone or flint.

Indo-European -> Celtic -> Gaulish -> Vulgar Latin influence -> French.

सांस्कृतिक संदर्भ

The slang use of 'caillou' for 'head' is informal and should be used with care to avoid being rude about someone's baldness.

The English word 'pebble' is the closest equivalent, but 'caillou' is used more broadly to include any small stone.

Le Petit Poucet (Charles Perrault) The cartoon character 'Caillou' The nursery rhyme 'Dans ma culotte, j'ai des cailloux'

असल ज़िंदगी में अभ्यास करें

वास्तविक संदर्भ

Nature/Hiking

  • Le chemin est plein de cailloux.
  • Attention aux cailloux glissants.
  • J'ai un caillou dans ma chaussure.
  • On a ramassé des cailloux sur la plage.

Children/Play

  • Ne lance pas de cailloux !
  • On fait des ricochets avec des cailloux ?
  • Regarde mon beau caillou.
  • Il collectionne les cailloux.

Gardening/DIY

  • Il faut mettre des cailloux pour le drainage.
  • J'ai besoin d'un sac de cailloux.
  • L'allée est couverte de cailloux.
  • On a enlevé tous les cailloux de la terre.

Slang/Body

  • Il a le caillou vide.
  • Fais attention à ton caillou.
  • Il a le caillou qui brille.
  • Il s'est cogné le caillou.

Literature/Folklore

  • Les petits cailloux blancs du Petit Poucet.
  • Semer des cailloux sur sa route.
  • Un cœur de caillou.
  • Casser des cailloux au bagne.

बातचीत की शुरुआत

"Est-ce que tu collectionnais des cailloux quand tu étais petit ?"

"As-tu déjà fait des ricochets avec un caillou sur un lac ?"

"Qu'est-ce que tu fais si tu as un caillou dans ta chaussure pendant une rando ?"

"Est-ce que tu préfères les plages de sable ou les plages de cailloux ?"

"Connais-tu l'histoire du Petit Poucet et de ses cailloux blancs ?"

डायरी विषय

Décrivez un caillou que vous avez trouvé lors d'une promenade (couleur, forme, texture).

Écrivez une petite histoire inspirée par 'un caillou dans la chaussure' au sens figuré.

Pourquoi pensez-vous que les enfants aiment tant ramasser des cailloux ?

Imaginez que vous êtes un caillou au bord d'une rivière. Que voyez-vous ?

Racontez un souvenir de vacances où il y avait beaucoup de cailloux.

अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल

10 सवाल

It is an exception to the general rule for nouns ending in -ou. There are seven such words in French that take -x: bijou, caillou, chou, genou, hibou, joujou, pou.

It is masculine: un caillou, le caillou.

Generally, a 'caillou' is a small stone you can pick up, while 'pierre' is the material or a larger stone.

Yes, in informal slang, it refers to the head, especially if someone is bald.

It means a small but persistent problem that is annoying you.

It is pronounced /ka.ju/. The 'll' is silent and sounds like a 'y'.

Yes, it is used throughout the French-speaking world, including Quebec.

Literally 'white pebbles', often referring to the trail left by 'Le Petit Poucet' to find his way home.

In slang, yes, it can refer to a diamond or a precious stone.

It is a path or road that is covered with stones, making it rough to walk on.

सुझाव और नोट्स के लिए मुफ़्त साइन अप करें

खुद को परखो 175 सवाल

writing

Traduisez : 'The child is throwing pebbles into the river.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Utilisez le mot 'caillou' dans une phrase au sens figuré.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Décrivez un caillou en trois adjectifs.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Expliquez pourquoi 'cailloux' prend un 'x'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Traduisez : 'A stony path leads to the house.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

Prononcez le mot 'cailloux'.

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

Dites : 'J'ai trouvé un beau caillou'.

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
listening

Écoutez et écrivez : 'Les cailloux roulent.'

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Traduisez : 'There are pebbles in my garden.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Faites une phrase avec 'cailloux'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Traduisez : 'He is as hard as a stone.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Quel est le contraire de lisse pour un caillou ?

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Écrivez les 7 exceptions en -ou.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

Dites : 'Le Petit Poucet'.

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

Dites : 'Un caillou dans la chaussure'.

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
listening

Écoutez et écrivez : 'Regarde ce petit caillou.'

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Traduisez : 'I have many pebbles.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Faites une phrase avec 'Petit Poucet'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Traduisez : 'The stone is hard.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Donnez un synonyme de caillou.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Traduisez : 'A pile of stones.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

Dites : 'Des cailloux'.

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

Dites : 'Le caillou est gris'.

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
listening

Écoutez et écrivez : 'Il lance un caillou.'

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Traduisez : 'The stones are grey.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Faites une phrase avec 'lancer'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Traduisez : 'A smooth stone.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Quel est le pluriel de genou ?

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Traduisez : 'The path is stony.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

Dites : 'Cailloux'.

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

Dites : 'Le caillou est dur'.

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
listening

Écoutez et écrivez : 'Elle ramasse des cailloux.'

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Traduisez : 'The pebble is in the shoe.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Faites une phrase avec 'blanc'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Traduisez : 'Small stones.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Quel est le pluriel de chou ?

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Traduisez : 'He has a stone heart.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

Dites : 'Un caillou'.

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

Dites : 'Des cailloux blancs'.

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
listening

Écoutez et écrivez : 'Le caillou est petit.'

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Traduisez : 'The stone is in the water.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Faites une phrase avec 'ramasser'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Traduisez : 'Many stones.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Quel est le pluriel de joujou ?

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing

Traduisez : 'The path is full of stones.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

Dites : 'Le caillou'.

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking

Dites : 'Un tas de cailloux'.

Read this aloud:

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
listening

Écoutez et écrivez : 'Attention aux cailloux.'

सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
सही! बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:

/ 175 correct

Perfect score!

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