to be overawed; to be overwhelmed; to be overcome; to be intimidated; to be daunted
fearfully; timidly; nervously; cautiously; gingerly
author; writer; novelist; artist
episode; anecdote; vignette; episode
introduction; presentation; referral; showcase (of a product)
(looking) over the top of one's glasses; (looking) through a pair of glasses
to smile (at); to grin (at)
a long time (since the last time); first in a long time; it's been a long time; long time no see
to approach; to draw near
to garnish; to accompany (as a card does a gift); to add to as support; to prop up; to accompany (as an aid, guide, translator, etc.); (arch.) to mimic
cram school; private tutoring school; juku
investigation; research; looking something up
to look (sound, behave) grown-up; to be adult-like; to mature
but (still); and yet; nevertheless; even so; notwithstanding
when; at what time; how soon; normal times; ordinary days
when push comes to shove; when needed; when necessity arises; when the moment arrives
vague; ambiguous; shady; disreputable; fuzzy
to return (something); to restore; to turn over; to turn upside down; to pay back; to retaliate; to respond (with)
emotional wall; internal barrier
to see through (a lie, scheme, etc.); to see into (someone's mind); to read (someone's true feelings); to penetrate
to become clear (water, air, etc.); to become transparent; to resonate clearly (e.g. voice); to become serene; to become tranquil; to pronounce as an unvoiced sound
language; dialect; word; phrase; speech; (manner of) speaking
sentence-ending particle expressing doubt; sentence-ending particle expressing a rhetorical question
to borrow; to rent; to hire; to make use of (another's help, wisdom, etc.); to obtain; to use (for another purpose)
or rather (say); or better (say); or perhaps I should say; or, how should I put it; I mean
to lend; to loan; to rent out; to hire out; to hand (over); to give
to think out; to devise; to invent; to begin to think; to come up with a plan
obligation; favour; favor; debt of gratitude
but; however; (and) yet; nevertheless; still; for all that
distinction; difference; separate; different; exception; exclusion
suddenly and forcefully (e.g. jerk, poke, shove); in a single gulp; in one go
to weigh on one's mind; to trouble one's heart; to be concerned about; to worry about
profit; advantage; benefit; rebirth in paradise, entering nirvana
to leave alone; to leave as is; to ignore; to neglect
or rather (say); or better (say); or perhaps I should say; or, how should I put it; I mean
to be shy; to be bashful; to feel awkward; to feel embarrassed