1.
one drop, a drop
A single drop of liquid.
一滴の水も無駄にしない。
I don't waste even a single drop of water.
インクを一滴たらした。
I dropped one drop of ink.
目薬を一滴さす。
I apply one drop of eye drops.
2.
not a drop, not even a little
Used with negation to emphasize complete absence of something.
酒は一滴も飲まない。
I don't drink a single drop of alcohol.
涙一滴見せなかった。
He didn't show a single tear.
血の一滴まで絞り取る。
To squeeze out every last drop of blood.
一滴 refers to a single drop of liquid.
LITERAL USAGE (Sense 1):
- 目薬を一滴: one drop of eye drops
- 水一滴: one drop of water
- 血の一滴: one drop of blood
EMPHATIC NEGATIVE (Sense 2):
- 一滴も〜ない: not even a drop
- Emphasizes complete absence or abstinence
- Often used with 酒 (alcohol)
RELATED EXPRESSIONS:
- 二滴: two drops
- 数滴: several drops
- 点滴: IV drip (medical)