to paint a picture; to draw a picture
all-night vigil over a body; wake
minutely; in detail; with particular attention
serving customers; looking after visitors; reception
pre-opening (party or showing)
rather; sooner; preferably
congratulation; congratulations; celebration; congratulatory gift; present
the best time for doing something is as soon as you've thought of it; there's no time like the present; (lit.) it's an auspicious day (for doing it) when you've just had the idea
to wait eagerly for; to look forward to
(formal) announcement; unveiling; introduction; debut
light meal; snack; refreshments
lodging (house); accommodation; hotel; housing (for government employees)
(verbal) message; word (from someone)
thankfully; fortunately; luckily; thanks to your (his, their, everyone's, etc.) kindness; thanks to your assistance; thanks to your support
to become stiff (of muscles); to get absorbed in; to develop a passion for; to be elaborate; to be intricate
eccentric; oddball; character; weirdo
to pinch; to hold (between one's fingers); to pick up and eat; to snack on; to pick out (the main point); to summarize
outward appearance; ostensible; public; official
strict; formal; strait-laced; stuffy; prudish; serious
formal; stiff; strict; ceremonious
superficial; apparent; seeming; surface; cosmetic
final decision; ultimate decision; official decision; finalizing; last word (on or about something); final word
assembly hall; meeting place; venue; site; grounds
break room; lounge (e.g. in an onsen); resting room
10th day of the month; ten days
11th day of the month; 11 days
running about; making every effort (to do); busying oneself (with); being busily engaged (in); good offices; efforts
preliminary arrangements; preparation; spadework; pre-cooking
direction; orientation; suited to; suitable for; tendency; inclination
juice; soft drink (usu. fruit-based); sweetened drink
strenuous efforts; exerting oneself; stirring oneself up; splurge; spending extravagantly (on); treating oneself (to)
estimate (of costs); budget
to boil (something in hot water); to treat with medicinal steam (a swelling, etc.)
strained lees (e.g. sake, tofu); draff
meat sauce; Bolognese sauce
putting on the market; putting on sale; making commercially available; commercial; off-the-shelf; store-bought