VOCABULARY
すずめの涙
su
す
zu
ず
me
め
no
の
na
な
mi
み
da
だ
a pittance / tiny amount
sparrow's tears, pittance, very small amount, drop in the bucket
idiom
phrase
Example sentences
今月の給料はすずめの涙だった。
This month's salary was just a pittance.
ボーナスはすずめの涙ほどしかない。
The bonus is no more than a tiny amount.
彼の貯金はすずめの涙程度だ。
His savings amount to a very small amount.
寄付は集まったがすずめの涙だ。
Donations came in, but they were just a drop in the bucket.
Practice exercises
1
ボーナスは雀の涙ほどしかなかった。
The bonus was only a pittance.
Answer
雀の涙
2
私の寄付は雀の涙に過ぎなかった。
My donation was no more than a pittance.
Answer
雀の涙
3
国の予算からすれば、この支援金は雀の涙に過ぎないだろう。
Compared to the national budget, this aid money is no more than a pittance.
Answer
雀の涙
4
巨大な問題の前では、私の努力など雀の涙に等しい。
Before such a huge problem, my efforts amount to no more than a pittance.
Answer
雀の涙
5
給料は雀の涙だ。
The salary is a pittance.
Answer
雀の涙