九牛一毛 a drop in the ocean
Explanation
九条牛身上的一根毛。比喻极大数量中极微小的数量，微不足道。
A single hair from nine oxen. A metaphor for an extremely small quantity among a very large amount, insignificant.
Origin Story
从前，有一个富有的商人，他想要建造一座宏伟的宫殿。他召集了全国最好的工匠，花费了大量的金钱和人力物力。终于，这座宫殿建成了，商人非常满意。他邀请了许多朋友来参观他的宫殿，并自豪地向他们介绍：“我的这座宫殿，真是世界上最美的建筑！你们看看，这些金碧辉煌的装饰，这些精美绝伦的雕刻，这些精雕细琢的壁画，无一不体现着我的财富和地位！”朋友们都点头称赞，商人心里更加得意。 然而，在宴会结束之后，有一个朋友却对商人说：“您的宫殿确实很美，但是您建造的这座宫殿，在整个国家来说，只是一粒沙子，九牛一毛而已。您花费了这么多的金钱和人力物力，却只是为了满足个人的虚荣，这是得不偿失的。”商人听了朋友的话，开始反思自己的行为。他意识到，自己的行为只是为了追求个人利益，而忽视了社会价值。他决定改变自己的做法，将更多的财富投入到社会公益事业，为社会做出更大的贡献。
Once upon a time, there was a wealthy merchant who wanted to build a magnificent palace. He gathered the best craftsmen in the country and spent a lot of money and manpower. Finally, the palace was built, and the merchant was very satisfied. He invited many friends to visit his palace and proudly introduced them: “My palace is the most beautiful building in the world! Look at these magnificent decorations, these exquisite carvings, these elaborately crafted murals, all of them reflect my wealth and status!” His friends all nodded in agreement, and the merchant was even more proud. However, after the banquet was over, one friend said to the merchant: “Your palace is indeed beautiful, but the palace you built is just a grain of sand, a drop in the ocean, in the whole country. You have spent so much money and manpower, but it’s just to satisfy your personal vanity, which is a waste of money.” The merchant listened to his friend’s words and began to reflect on his behavior. He realized that his actions were only to pursue personal gain, and he ignored the social value. He decided to change his approach and invest more of his wealth in social welfare, making a greater contribution to society.
Usage
这个成语用来形容在整体数量或规模中，某一部分显得非常渺小、微不足道。
This idiom is used to describe something that is very small and insignificant in comparison to the overall quantity or scale.
Examples
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在国家建设的大业中，个人的力量只是九牛一毛。
zai guo jia jian she de da ye zhong, ge ren de li liang zhi shi jiu niu yi mao.
In the great cause of national construction, the individual's strength is just a drop in the bucket.
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他捐的这点钱，对整个项目来说，简直是九牛一毛。
ta juan de zhe dian qian, dui zheng ge xiang mu lai shuo, jian zhi shi jiu niu yi mao.
The money he donated is just a drop in the bucket for the whole project.
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他为公司做出的贡献仅仅是九牛一毛，不足挂齿。
ta wei gong si zuo chu de gong xian jin jin shi jiu niu yi mao, bu zu gua chi.
The contribution he made to the company is just a drop in the bucket, insignificant.