preface; introduction; lead in (to a joke, question, etc.); lead up; payment in advance (by bank transfer); swinging (one's body) forward
manzai; comic dialogue; two-person comedy act, usu. presented as a fast-paced dialogue, occ. presented as a skit
guffawing; roaring (with laughter); (laughing) heartily
vulgar; indecent; coarse; crude
being in charge (of an area of responsibility); being responsible (for a work role, etc.)
topic of discussion; agenda
technical skill; ability; capacity
weird; eerie; ominous; creepy; uncanny; unearthly
pushing through; bulldozing; doing something by force; arm twisting
participation in a war; going to war; taking part in a competition or contest
seasoning; flavour; condition; state; (state of) health; physical condition
trouble; bother; annoyance; to be troubled (by); to be bothered (by); to be inconvenienced (by)
wasteland; wilderness; deserted land; prairie; vast plain; wilds
(archeological) remains; ruins; relics
ghost town; deserted village; village without inhabitants
to become scared; to have an attack of nerves; to have a yellow streak; to chicken out; to run out of courage
worry; fear; anxiety; concern
to be better (than); to be superior; to surpass; to excel; to be excellent
after all; in the end; conclusion; end; end of a game of go, shogi, etc.
just kidding; not!; ersatz; imitation; phony
to fold one's arms; to link arms with someone
to groan; to moan; to roar; to howl; to hum (engine, wind, etc.); to buzz; to ooh and aah (in admiration)
suburb; residential area on the outskirt of a city; commuter belt
to lure out; to entice out
entrusting (everything to); leaving (a matter) entirely with
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
widely; extensively; far and wide; everywhere; all around; generally
to rain incessantly; to downpour
welcome rain; merciful rain; blessed rain; rain after a long dry period
villain; outlaw; assassin
ringleader; mastermind; leader (of a plot); forerunner; pioneer
impassioned speech; fervent speech
brown rat (Rattus norvegicus); common rat; dark grey; dark gray; deceitful employee; unfaithful servant
to face (each other); to be facing; to be directed toward (the future, etc.); to be in response to; to receive (a client, etc.); to compare with
stage (of a theatre, concert hall, etc.); stage performance; stage production; setting (of a story); scene; sphere (of activity)
status; position; method; way; rule; regulation
to come out; to fall out; to fade; to discolour; to wear a hole (e.g. clothes); to leave (e.g. a meeting); to be clear
(a) step; one step; level; stage; small degree; small amount
plan; policy; means; fifth principle of the Eight Principles of Yong; right upward flick
extreme logic; extreme argument; unreserved argument
pride of place; most prominent; top-ranking
head; brains; intellect; understanding