杯水车薪的英文:
[Literal Meaning]
cup/water/cart/firewood.
to try to extinguish a cartload of firewood on fire with one cup of water
[解释]
力量太小,解决不了很大的问题。
[Explanation]
an utterly inadequate method in dealing with a severe problem .
[例子]
对于像印度洋海啸这样一场大灾难,一个国家的援助只能是杯水车薪,我们需要全世界的帮助。
[Example]
As to a huge disaster like the tsunami in the Indian Ocean, assistance from a single country is like to try to extinguish a cartload of firewood on fire with one cup of water and we need help from all over the world.
- an utterly inadequate measure;Trying to put out a burning cartload of faggots with a cup of water
杯水车薪 - This was thin gruel for Sadat
这对于萨达特来说是杯水车薪。 - Considering the losses in the disaster area, our support was an utterly inadequate measure.
比起灾区的损失,我们的支援不过杯水车薪。 - The few packages of food seemed a mockery in the face of such enormous destitution.
对于众多赤贫的人们,这几袋食物简直是杯水车薪