der Kies, -e

The German word "Kies" is a noun that means "gravel" or "pebble". It refers to small, loose stones that are often used in construction, landscaping, and as material for paths or driveways. The word is not compound and is derived from Old High German.

Similar words in German include "Schotter" (chippings, often a mix of gravel and smaller stones) and "Sand" (sand).

The main difference between "Kies" and "Schotter" is that "Kies" specifically refers to rounded stones found in riverbeds and is naturally derived, while "Schotter" can include angular stones created through crushing. "Sand" is much finer and composed of tiny particle sizes compared to both "Kies" and "Schotter".