for the first time; only after ... is it ...; only when ... do you ...; first time; (one's) first
to get used to; to grow accustomed to; to become skilled in; to become experienced at; to become tame; to become domesticated
zabuton; flat floor cushion used when sitting or kneeling; usu. rectangular
very interesting; of great interest
after a short time; in a short while; a short time later
to be sorry; to beg someone's pardon; to be much obliged; to be grateful; to be amazed; to be greatly impressed
to be ready; to be prepared; to be in order; to be put in order; to be adjusted; to be regulated
audience (with a superior, e.g. nobility)
space (between); gap; period of time (during, while); duration; between (two parties or things); among (a group); relations (between)
increasingly; more and more; decreasingly; less and less
to begin; to start; to happen (again); to begin (anew); to date (from); to originate (in)
identical; same; one and the same; fair; equal treatment; without discrimination
lord; nobleman; daimyo; dignitary; master
medium (size); average (grade, level, etc.); in; within; during; while; currently (doing)
stagnation; hindrance; delay
letter; note; epistle; correspondence
to be worried; to be troubled
prompt decision; immediate decision; on-the-spot decision; summary judgment; summary judgement
the present; present time; as of; present tense; this world; this life
succession struggle; succession race
tacit approval; tacit permission; connivance; acquiescence; toleration; overlooking
to hit; to expose; to apply (e.g. patch); to put on; to allot; to call on someone (e.g. in class); to guess (an answer)
quickly; promptly; immediately; indifferently; coldly
to be prolonged; to drag on; to take a long time; to persist; to linger
bog; marsh; swamp; quandary; dire situation from which one cannot extricate oneself; imbroglio
fight; dispute; feud; competition; contest; rivalry
cause for headaches; pain in the neck; source of worry
a little; a bit; somewhat; slightly; rather
miserable; pitiable; shameful; deplorable; pathetic
to reach a situation about which nothing can be done
there's no (other) way; cannot be helped; unavoidable; it's no use (doing); pointless; hopeless (person)
honest; frank; candid; honestly; frankly
dubious tale; cock-and-bull story; questionable information; taking care not to be fooled
having no choice but to ...; all one can do is ...; there's nothing to do except ...; having nothing but ...; there is only ...; having only ...
character (of a person); personality; disposition; characteristics; nature (of a thing, event, etc.)
to descend; to go down; to be handed down (of an order, judgment, etc.); to pass (of time); to surrender; to capitulate; to be less than
lie; fib; mistake; error; unwise move; bad decision
to tease; to make fun of; to poke fun at; to make a crack about; to chaff; to kid
hard-line policy; tough measure
usually; ordinarily; in the past
to worry (about); to fuss (over); to be careful (about); to pay attention (to); to take (good) care of