Japanese meaning of 焼け石に水
Reading:
やけいしにみず (yakeishi ni mizu)
English Translation:
A drop in the ocean
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
Too little to make any difference.
Cultural Context:
Used in public policy, budgeting, and charity debates about insufficient measures.
量や効果が小さすぎて焼け石に水という意味。
政策・予算・募金で「効果が薄い」議論に登場。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
• 焼け石 (yake ishi) = “hot stone” (noun)
• に (ni) = particle indicating target/location
• 水 (mizu) = “water” (noun)
Noun + particle + noun, used metaphorically for an effort too small to have any effect.
Trap for English Speakers
Literal meaning may confuse learners; it means an action too small to make a difference.
Example
Basic Example
努力が少なすぎて効果がない、まさに焼け石に水だ。
Too little effort to make a difference is like a drop in the ocean.
Applied Example
筋トレ一日だけじゃ焼け石に水だな。
One day of weight training is just a drop in the ocean.