topic; subject; much talked about; topical; in the news
since some time ago; for some time; for quite a while
matter being discussed (e.g. in a private conversation); our side of the story (in contrast to another's version)
as expected; just as one thought; as feared; sure enough
consideration; concern; attention; thoughtfulness; making arrangements; care
thanks; gratitude; appreciation; thankfulness
birth (of a person); nativity; creation; formation; one's first birthday
episode; anecdote; vignette; episode
everyday; daily; ordinary; usual; routine; regular
stormy and full of drama; full of ups and downs; with many vicissitudes
material (for a story, article, etc.); information; joke; jest; proof; evidence; (magician's) trick
to be used up; to be run out; to be exhausted; to be consumed; to come to an end
(something) has never occurred; to have never done (something); such a thing has not happened; never happens; there is never a time when
this and that; this or that; one thing or another; around; about; round about
near; neighbourhood; nearly (e.g. "it took nearly one year"); close to; shortly; soon
to leave one's seat; to temporarily excuse oneself (from a meeting, etc.); to step outside; to be away (from one's desk, etc.)
just like; (virtually) no different from; (almost) the same as; as good as (e.g. dead, settled)
oneself; oneself; for oneself; personally
dealing with (people, customers, complaints, etc.); receiving (callers, visitors, etc.); attending to; handling; serving
to be deeply impressed (by); to be moved (by); to admire greatly
scary; frightening; eerie; dreadful
considerably; fairly; quite; rather; pretty
skilled person; capable person; doer; performer; giver; bestower
to believe; to believe in; to place trust in; to confide in; to have faith in
to taste; to try (food or drink)
parched; dried-up; empty; hollow; rattling; clattering
speech; eloquence; manner of speaking; manner of expression
expression of appreciation (for someone's efforts); thanks
to speak words (of); to speak (to); to say (something); to say some (kind, comforting, etc.) words
relief; reassurance; recognition of right to land ownership (by the shogunate, a feudal lord, etc.); (arch.) living safely surrounded by walls
severe; strict; hard (to do); difficult; intense (e.g. cold); harsh (weather)
from now on; after this; in the future; from here; from this point
performance (as opposed to practice); going before an audience or on-air; game; match; high of the season; height (of summer, etc.)
more and more; all the more; at last; finally; (at the) last moment; worst possible time
to get to the main subject; to move on to the main topic; to get down to business
main topic; main subject; main issue; this subject
matter; affair; counter for (received) emails, text messages, voicemail messages, etc.; counter for accounts (on a website, email service, etc.)
as expected; as predicted
to stop; to turn off; to park; to prevent; to suppress (a cough); to stop (someone from doing something); to dissuade