勺しゃく水すい

noun

shaku of water; 18 ml of water

Historical or literary term for a small measure of water, literally one shaku (勺, about 18 ml). Rare in modern usage.

• 昔むかしの文ぶん献けんに「勺しゃく水すいを以もって車しゃ輪りんを止やむる能のうはず」とある。

  An old text says, 'One cannot stop a cartwheel with a shaku of water.'

noun

droplet of water; very small amount of water

Figurative extension: any tiny quantity of water, like a few drops. Also rare and mostly found in classical or poetic contexts.

• 勺しゃく水すいほどの恵めぐみも無む駄だにはできない。

  Even a blessing as small as a droplet of water cannot be wasted.