九牛一毛
九牛一毛 (jiǔ niú yī máo) literally means “one hair from nine oxen” and expresses “a drop in the bucket; negligible amount”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: jiu niu yi mao, jiu niu yi mao,九牛一毛 meaning, 九牛一毛 in english
A drop in the bucket; negligible amount
Pronunciation: jiǔ niú yī máo Literal meaning: One hair from nine oxen
Origin & Usage
This idiom comes from a letter written by the great Han Dynasty historian Sima Qian (司马迁) to his friend Ren An. After being castrated as punishment for defending a disgraced general, Sima Qian wrote that his death would be as insignificant as losing one hair from nine oxen - utterly negligible in the grand scheme of things. The phrase emphasizes extreme insignificance through vivid proportion. In modern usage, it describes something trivial compared to a larger whole, often used to minimize losses or contributions.
When to Use
Situation: Losing that small investment was just one hair from nine oxen compared to his total wealth.
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Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
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dà tóng xiǎo yì
Essentially the same with minor differences
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一心一意
yī xīn yī yì
Wholeheartedly; with undivided attention
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脚踏实地
jiǎo tà shí dì
Being practical and down-to-earth
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南辕北辙
nán yuán běi zhé
Actions contrary to one's goals
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耳目一新
ěr mù yī xīn
A refreshing new experience
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势不可挡
shì bù kě dǎng
Unstoppable; irresistible momentum
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心血来潮
xīn xuè lái cháo
Acting on a sudden impulse or whim
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名副其实
míng fù qí shí
Living up to one's name or reputation
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 九牛一毛 mean in English?
九牛一毛 (jiǔ niú yī máo) literally translates to “One hair from nine oxen” and is used to express “A drop in the bucket; negligible amount”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 九牛一毛 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving a drop in the bucket; negligible amount.
What is the pinyin for 九牛一毛?
The pinyin pronunciation for 九牛一毛 is “jiǔ niú yī máo”.