Aug 7, 2012 05:47
11 yrs ago
Japanese term
焼け石に水
Japanese to English
Other
Other
厚生労働省は時間外や休日の超過勤務を抑えようと賃金割増率を引き上げてきたが、焼け石に水のようだ。
Proposed translations
(English)
Proposed translations
+1
16 hrs
Selected
futile effort
If you want it literal jgraves already gave you really good answer. But as you know this is a common cliche frequently used in daily conversations as well as writings.
If you're looking for succinct counterpart in English, I believe, this is what it means, and fits to the context quite well.
If you're looking for succinct counterpart in English, I believe, this is what it means, and fits to the context quite well.
2 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
+1
32 mins
something bound to fail due to inadequate effort, assistance, etc.; pouring water on a hot stone
焼け石に水
読み方：やけいしにみず
（表現） something bound to fail due to inadequate effort, assistance, etc.; pouring water on a hot stone
読み方：やけいしにみず
（表現） something bound to fail due to inadequate effort, assistance, etc.; pouring water on a hot stone
+1
1 hr
not enough/inadequate
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
MariyaN (X)
7 hrs
|
|
Thanks a lot!
|
+1
2 hrs
Harry Oikawa
Native in Japanese
Business Communication Expert
Native in: Japanese 
Works in: English to Japanese, Japanese to English
Related KudoZ points
:
16
not help much
I do not see a reason to use a Japanese proverb for this sentence. It would be enough to say “that did not help much.”
4 hrs
Not only ineffectual, but can do more harm than good/ like pouring water on a hot stone
I believe this metaphor carries two implications.
1) water does not cool down a hot stone much and evaporates on contact
2) pouring water on a hot stone can cause it to crack
Choose whether to spell it out or use the metaphor based on the reader/audience.
1) water does not cool down a hot stone much and evaporates on contact
2) pouring water on a hot stone can cause it to crack
Choose whether to spell it out or use the metaphor based on the reader/audience.
17 hrs
(efforts were) in vain
an alternative
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