PhraseNinja

Proverbs

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.
日本語で読む
量や効果が小さすぎて焼け石に水という意味。

Cultural Context:

Used in public policy, budgeting, and charity debates about insufficient measures.
日本語で読む
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)<br>• に (ni) = particle indicating target/location<br>• 水 (mizu) = “water” (noun)<br>Noun + particle + noun, used metaphorically for an effort too small to have any effect.
日本語で読む
• 焼け石 = 「熱い石」を表す名詞<br>• に = 対象や場所を示す助詞<br>• 水 = 「水」を表す名詞<br>名詞 + 助詞 + 名詞 の形で、効果がほとんどない行為を比喩的に表します。

Trap for English Speakers

Literal meaning may confuse learners; it means an action too small to make a difference.
日本語で読む
焼けた石と水のイメージに囚われやすいが、効果が微小であることの比喩。

Example

Example 1Basic Example

  1. 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.

Example 2Applied Example

  1. 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.

Quick check

Meaning

What does 「焼け石に水」 mean?

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