practical; realistic; pragmatic
middle of summer; height of summer; midsummer
late autumn (fall); (arch.) ninth month of the lunar calendar
you could say; you might say; verging on the
thickheaded; insensitive; dull; thick-skinned
crumpled; wrinkled; crinkled; creased
what; what sort of thing; everything; anything; what (on earth)?; what's the meaning of this ...?
to take the form (of); to assume a shape
to open one's eyes wide (in astonishment, wonder, etc.); to be wide-eyed; to be amazed
mound; heap; burial mound; tomb; standing stone; stone signpost
to demolish; to tear down; to pull down; to draw on (one's savings, etc.) little by little; to break into (a reserve fund, etc.); to eat into
school building; schoolhouse
uncle; old man; mister; manybar goatfish (Parupeneus multifasciatus)
hello; good day; good afternoon
first; firstly; first of all; Introduction; Preface
to drop in; to go see (someone); to come to hang out
anyone; any person; whoever
morning and evening; all the time; always; every day
course (e.g. of lectures); academic university unit (professor, lecturers, etc.)
to (enter and) sit down; to plop oneself down; to plant oneself down; to sit down (and refuse to move); to sit in (in protest)
seat; location (of a gathering, etc.); place; position; post
to invite; to show (someone) in
buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum); soba; Japanese buckwheat noodles; Chinese-style wheat noodles
directions; instructions; orders; command
food (on a table; esp. a small Japanese table); dinner; cover (in a restaurant); cook; chef; person who prepares food
pan; pot; saucepan; stew; hot pot
broth; soup (esp. miso soup)
piece(s) of firewood (esp. chopped or split from logs); kindling (twigs, branches, etc.); firewood
four-legged tray for festive food
rice bowl; tea cup; teacup
to warm (up); to heat (up); to sit on (an idea, plan, etc.); to keep to oneself; to renew (an old friendship); to take for oneself
small dining table (usu. for a single person); serving tray (with legs); meal; food; counter for bowlfuls of rice; counter for pairs of chopsticks
condiment (e.g. grated or chopped topping such as daikon, wasabi, ginger, green onion, red pepper); spice
to make; to manufacture; to build; to construct; to prepare; to get ready; to dress (oneself in)
to open one's eyes wide (in astonishment, wonder, etc.); to be wide-eyed; to be amazed
manners; behavior; behaviour
near; close; beside; attendant; retainer; vassal
Obon; Bon Festival; Buddhist festival for honouring the spirits of one's ancestors, held in mid-August or in some regions, mid-July; tray