Translation guide
A very small or insignificant amount compared to what is needed.
Expressing that something is a tiny, negligible part of a much larger whole.
Literally 'a drop in the great ocean'. A common idiomatic expression for something extremely small in comparison.
その寄付は大海の一滴に過ぎない。
That donation is just a drop in the bucket.
A more literal pattern meaning 'just a small part of ~'. Can be used when you want to be direct rather than idiomatic.
これは全体のうちのほんの一部です。
This is just a drop in the bucket of the whole.
Literally 'one hair from nine oxen'. A classical idiom meaning an insignificantly small part of a vast whole.
彼の努力は九牛の一毛だ。
His efforts are just a drop in the bucket.
Literally 'water on a hot stone'. Emphasizes that the amount is so small it has no effect, like water evaporating instantly on a hot stone.
こんな少額の支援では焼け石に水だ。
Such a small amount of support is a drop in the bucket.