director (of a film, play, etc.)
correct answer; right solution; correct interpretation; right decision; right choice; appropriate judgement
one foot; one leg; one of a pair (of shoes or socks)
to thrust (something) into (something); to cram; to plunge into; to charge into; to delve into (a matter); to go into depth; to press (someone) about
one portion; one serving; adult; grown-up; fully fledged; established
three years; third school year (e.g. of high school)
passage (of time); elapsing; progress; development; transit
reasonably; fairly; hurriedly; in a rush; approximately; about
valuation; appraisal; evaluation; appreciation; recognition; acknowledgement
seeming ...; appearing ...; -ish; like a ...; typical of ...
to be clear (of a sight, sound, colour, etc.); to be bright; to be clear-headed; to be alert; to look upbeat; to be perky; to master (a skill)
to take (something) along; to bring with one; to carry (something) away; to bear
chance; start; opportunity; cause; reason; excuse
high praise; great admiration; with critical acclaim; to rave reviews; currently; presently
on bargain sale; rising in popularity; up-and-coming; budding
the point of ...; the place where ...; a place called ...; places known as ...; I would say ...; ... is how I'd put it
don't you think?; indicates question
at present; currently; so far; for now; for the time being
spotlight; public eye; public's attention; goldfish bowl
everyday; daily; ordinary; usual; routine; regular
and then; in addition to that; also; even so
dead body; corpse; cadaver; carcass
discovery; detection; finding
total; totalling; adding up; comprehensive; all-inclusive; all-encompassing
(sense of) rivalry; competitiveness
kindergarten (in Japan, non-compulsory education from age 3 until primary school); preschool
enrollment in kindergarten; enrollment in nursery school; entering a park, garden, zoo, etc.
woman; female; feminine gender
to ask; to enquire; to inquire; to search; to look for; to look into
delicacy; tact; sensitivity; consideration; thoughtfulness
extra; more; unnecessary; needless; all the more; even more
inquiry into; enquiry into; prying (into); investigation; search; exploration
discouraged; dispirited; despondent
life; living; livelihood; (one's) living
exhausting work; hard work; severe duty
to compare; to make a comparison (between); to compete (on); to measure (one's strength, ability, etc. against another's)
kindergarten pupil; kindergartener; preschooler; child in daycare
to eat; to live; to make a living; to bite; to sting (as insects do); to tease; to torment
to read; to recite (e.g. a sutra); to chant; to predict; to guess; to pronounce; to read (e.g. a kanji)
comfort; ease; easy; simple; (economically) comfortable; raku pottery
that sort of; that kind of; like that; such; so
to play (games, sports); to enjoy oneself; to mess about (with alcohol, gambling, philandery, etc.); to be idle; to do nothing; to meet up (with friends); to hang out
Kyōgoku Natsuhiko (1963-)