九きゅう牛ぎゅうの一いち毛もう

expression, noun

drop in the bucket; drop in the ocean; insignificant fraction

Idiomatic yojijukugo meaning something is so small compared to the whole that it is negligible, like a single hair from nine oxen. Often used in expressions of modesty or to emphasize insignificance.

• 彼かれの寄き付ふは全ぜん体たいから見みれば九きゅう牛ぎゅうの一いち毛もうに過すぎない。

  His donation is just a drop in the bucket compared to the total.

• 私わたしの知ち識しきなど九きゅう牛ぎゅうの一いち毛もうで、まだまだ勉べん強きょうが必ひつ要ようだ。

  My knowledge is but a drop in the ocean; I still have much to learn.