beginning of the year; early in the New Year
gradually; steadily; slowly; little by little; step by step; by degrees
frequency (of occurrence)
specific gravity; relative density; relative importance; weight
superficial; half-hearted; shallow
(good or bad) feel when wearing something
to cross; to intersect; to associate with; to mingle with; to have a sexual relationship; to copulate
to manufacture; to produce; to raise (crops); to invent; to dream up; to create
to tell someone's fortune; to divine (the future); to predict; to forecast
to begin to appear; to begin to come in
walking encyclopedia; walking dictionary
bare minimum; minimum necessary (amount, number, etc.)
monk; priest; sangha (the Buddhist community)
arguments for and against; pros and cons; mixed reception; mixed reviews
to be unable to just watch (without doing anything); to be unable to look on in silence; to be unable to overlook; to be unable to remain indifferent to
nonchalantly; calmly; as if nothing happened
kindness (shown by others); courtesy; favor; favour; good offices
spread; extension; influence; aftereffect; ripple
a little late; somewhat late; latish; a little slow; somewhat slow
to be rejuvenated; to feel young again
way of talking; speaking style
group chat (in the IM application LINE)
independence; self-reliance; independence (e.g. of a nation); freedom; separation; isolation
to stretch; to extend; to straighten out; to be flattened; to spread (of paint, cream, etc.); to stretch out (e.g. of a hand); to extend
crumpled; wrinkled; crinkled; creased
complaint; troubles; objection; grievance
dramatic turn-around; major reversal; great comeback; game changer
epicenter (of an earthquake); epicentre; source (of a rumor, incident, etc.); origin
change; transformation; reform; revolution; revolutionizing; innovation
archipelago; chain of islands
to make a splash; to evoke a response; to meet with a reaction
to put (into); to put away (in); to include (in an anthology, catalogue, etc.); to contain; to achieve (results, success, etc.); to obtain; to accept (a gift or money)
to be scared (of); to be frightened (by); to be intimidated (by)
aspiration; volunteering; desire; application
to lose strength; to become weak; to wither; to droop; to feel demotivated; to lose interest
sharply (glare, stare, etc.); piercingly; stinging; clashing (of swords, etc.)
dull sound; muffled sound
company; firm; (Shinto) shrine; regional Chinese god of the earth (or a village built in its honour); counter for companies, shrines, etc.; incorporated body
delicate; minute; fine; detailed; subtle
sudden; abrupt; unexpected
to make sense; to be meaningful
to pluck (esp. by twisting from a tree); to pick (e.g. apples)
in a train (car, bus, etc.); on a train