probe; inquiry; enquiry; investigation
language of one's country; mother tongue; native language
national language; Japanese language (often as a school subject in Japan); native Japanese words (as opposed to loanwords)
such ... as; or some such
ray (any fish of superorder Batoidea)
to catch (someone's words); to make out; to follow; to ask about (a situation, circumstances, etc.); to inquire
tedious; boring; being fed up with
by any chance; (should) it happen (that); by some chance
Bible; the Scriptures; Holy Writ
moreover; furthermore; nevertheless; and yet
quotation; citation; reference
worst; horrible; horrid; in the worst case; if worst comes to worst
to be silent; to say nothing
I see; that's right; indeed
to be added to; to be appended; to join in (e.g. a group of friends); to participate; to increase (e.g. heat); to gain in (e.g. influence)
to reach; to touch; to be delivered; to arrive; to be attentive; to be scrupulous
to become frightened; to be frightened (of); to be scared (of)
to resign; to retire; to quit; to leave (one's job, etc.)
new; novel; fresh; recent; latest; up-to-date
even; for starters; so; therefore; judging from; based on
getting closer; drawing nearer; being not much different; being near (age, skill, etc.); becoming close (i.e. friendly); becoming intimate
breath; breathing; tone; mood
as one would expect; just as you'd expect (from); still; all the same; even ... (e.g. "even a genius")
admiration; wonder; astonishment
long military service; having experienced many battles
a kind; a sort; of sorts; something of a; sort of; somewhat
numeral; figure; digit; numeric character
to join together; to combine; to join up
discrimination; discernment; identification
sign; mark; symbol; sign (e.g. positive, negative)
to apply (a rule); to be applicable; to come under (a category); to fulfill; to hold true
(period of) a year; during an era
starting field which contains the November and/or December 20-point card
makings (of); aptitude; talent; nature; character; temperament
to polish up; to shine up
undeserved good luck; luck of the devil; dumb luck; bad luck
to be blessed with; to be rich in; to abound in
very; considerably; by no means; not readily; middle; half-way point