to tighten; to stiffen; to brace; to strain
leadership; initiative; spearhead
feeling of tension; air of tension; tension; nervousness
to learn; to acquire knowledge; to carry; to wear (clothes, etc.); to put on
first-class goods; A-grade product
rucksack; knapsack; backpack
to give the stamp of approval
no problem; all right; not an issue; unobjectionable
creche; day nursery; day-care center
instead of; in place of; as a substitute for; in exchange for; in return for; to make up for
close (e.g. friend); familiar; familiar (e.g. story); well-known (to one); close (relatives); closely related
relationship; relation; terms (good, friendly, etc.)
thinly; slightly; vaguely; a little
what; so-and-so; such and such; what?; wait; well, well
facing north; northern exposure
change; modification; alteration; revision; amendment
sometimes; at intervals; occasionally; on occasion; from time to time
grass; weed; (arch.) ninja; marijuana; cannabis; not genuine
haniwa; hollow unglazed terracotta figure from the Kofun period
privilege; special favor; special favour; benefit; prerogative; perk
performance; trick; feat; extraordinary deed; daring act; bold move
in a whisper; in a low voice; in undertones; in secret; stealthily
suspicious; doubtful; dubious; questionable; fishy
seeming; giving the appearance of; giving one the feeling of
visit (to a shrine, grave, etc.); worship
oneself (itself, etc.); I; me; you; by oneself (itself, etc.); interjection expressing anger or chagrin
physical punishment; beating; smacking; severe scolding; chastisement; discipline
sometimes; occasionally; at times; seasonal; of the season; appropriate (for the season or occasion)
explanation; excuse; clarification; vindication; apology
vacantly; blankly; openmouthed; with one's mouth wide-open; with a whack; with a thump
to come (home) to one; to click; to ring a bell; to appeal to one; to speak to one; to impress one
to have an interest (in something); to feel inclined (toward doing something)
steam; vapour; vapor; steamboat; steam locomotive
to sense; to perceive; to understand; to comprehend; to attain enlightenment
neighbourhood; neighborhood; vicinity
to be degraded; to come down in the world; to lose status; to be ruined; to fall low
hit; success; guess; prediction; affability; friendliness; sensation
to make (someone) understand (a fault, mistake, etc.); to reason with; to advise; to try to persuade; to exhort; to admonish
beautiful face; good looks; beauty
with a thump; (hanging) straight down