just this side of; one step short of; on the brink
to cut; to cut through; to sever (connections, ties); to turn off (e.g. the light); to terminate (e.g. a conversation); to hang up (the phone); to punch (a ticket)
there's no knowing; there's no telling; it's anyone's guess; who knows?
now (while the time is ripe); while one still can
painful; bitter; tough; difficult; cruel; harsh
important matter; matter of great importance; serious affair; major incident; emergency
no!; no no!; no, not at all
nursing in the home by visiting nurses
(sound of) laughter; laughing voice
everyone; anyone; no one; nobody
well; properly; best regards; please remember me; just like ...; as though one were ...
huh?; eh?; what?; oh; hey!; look!
rural area; countryside; the sticks; hometown
in swarms; in great crowds
to stream; to flow (liquid, time, etc.); to be washed away; to be carried; to drift; to float (e.g. clouds); to sweep (e.g. rumour, fire)
consequence; outcome; result; blame
prices of commodities; prices (in general); cost-of-living
job transfer away from one's home; taking up a new post leaving one's family behind
at this stage; at this point; now (contrasting with the past)
once; one time; temporarily; for a moment; one degree; one tone
to cling to ... in tears; to beg ... in tears; to appeal; to throw oneself on someone's mercy
one's post; one's station; department; bureau; section
to take on; to undertake; to take over; to inherit; to guarantee; to vouch for
izakaya; Japanese bar that also serves various dishes and snacks
good-natured person; good person; (one's) lover; boyfriend; girlfriend
and yet; though; when; in spite of
hobby; pastime; tastes; preference; liking
to return; to come home; to leave; to get home; to get to home plate
to approach; to draw near; to gather (in one place); to come together; to stop by (while on one's way to another place); to drop by; to grow old
alumni association; graduates' association; alumni meeting; class reunion
too; also; still; as before; even so; either way
to change; to alter; to transform; to reform; to revise; to amend
of no interest; not interested
definitely; absolutely; absolute; unconditional; absoluteness
that sort of; that kind of; like that; such; so
remnant; residue; remaining; left-over
(a) little; (a) few; slight; only; just; merely
what's the matter?; what's wrong?
corner; edge; (street) corner; turning; rough edges (of one's character, words, etc.); abrasiveness
for the first time; only after ... is it ...; only when ... do you ...; first time; (one's) first