competent; suitable; qualified
to set out; to set sail; to embark on (a new venture); to set out (to achieve something); to begin to ride; to lean forward
box; case; car (of a train, etc.); shamisen case; shamisen; public building; community building
with religious zeal; with utmost devotion; take great care of
to set adrift; to let loose; to cut loose
bad guy; villain; evildoer; scoundrel
source; origin; cause; beginning; genesis
assistant; associate; duplicate; copy; adverb
protagonist; main character; hero(ine) (of a story); head of household
futon; Japanese bedding consisting of a mattress and a duvet; round cushion used for Zen meditation (traditionally made of woven bulrush leaves)
dirty-looking; filthy; disgusting; squalid
to find fault (with); to cavil (at); to carp (about); to throw a wet blanket (on); to throw cold water (on); to jinx
reality; actuality; hard fact
(female) beauty; beautiful woman
to become familiar with; to fit in; to adapt oneself; to get used to; to grow accustomed to
I-novel; novel narrated in the first person
to go along; to walk along; to follow
even if not; even without
to produce; to yield; to cause; to result from; to arise; to be generated
rude; outspoken; presumptuous; cheeky
for a short while; for a while; for some time; for the time being
insect; bug; worm; roundworm; one's emotions; one's feelings; nervousness
slander; bad-mouthing; abuse; insult; speaking ill (of)
meritorious deed; services
cheers; applause; ovation; acclamation
to win; to gain; to earn; to spread (one's name, etc.)
Bungeishunju (publishing company and magazine)
to lie on top of each other; to overlap; to pile up
pressure; oppression; suppression
boorish; unsophisticated; unrefined; uncouth; tasteless; insensitive
rustic; unsophisticated; provincial; hick; cornball
to abuse (verbally); to curse at; to shout abuse at; to speak ill of
to sit; to squat; to assume (a position); to hold steady; to hold still
valuation; appraisal; evaluation; appreciation; recognition; acknowledgement
to incline one's head to the side (in doubt); to tilt one's head to the side (in confusion); to be puzzled
stimulus; impetus; incentive; encouragement; motivation; provocation
recommendation; endorsement
United Kingdom; Britain; Great Britain; England
dregs; sediment; lees (esp. sake); leftovers; by-product; worthless item; junk