obvious; clear; plain; evident; apparent; explicit
vitality; energy; dynamism
narrow margin; slim margin
function; facility; faculty; feature
round shape; circle; circular form
through; throughout; through (the good offices of); by way of
standing on tiptoe and stretching one's back to make oneself taller; stretching oneself; overreaching oneself; overstretching oneself; trying to do something beyond one's ability
exit; way out; outlet; vent
usurer; usury; loansharking
paradise; heaven; Kingdom of Heaven
to stand in the way (esp. with legs spread out); to block the way; to stand in the way (e.g. of progress); to obstruct
(a) step; one step; level; stage; small degree; small amount
to spread its roots (of a tree, etc.); to take root (of an ideology, etc.); to put down roots; to settle down (in a place)
(stroke of) luck; (unexpected) good fortune; godsend; windfall
to lend an ear (to); to hear out; to listen to
to stare fixedly at; to fix one's gaze on; to make sure of; to set one's eyes on (e.g. the future); to focus on
stick; club; cudgel; bludgeon
aid; assistance; help; cheering; rooting (for); support
war potential; military strength; fighting power; ability (to compete); capabilities; valuable asset
standing facing each other (e.g. mountains, buildings); standing opposite each other; confrontation; squaring off against (adversaries, armies, forces); standing off against
castle wall; town walls; defensive wall; rampart
to be smeared; to be covered
sad; miserable; unhappy; sad; lamentable; deplorable
metal utensil; ironware; metal fittings; hardware
cloth; fabric; dough; batter; inherent quality; one's true character; unglazed pottery
modest; reserved; quiet; frugal; simple; plain
agricultural community; farm village; rural
to run (a business); to operate; to carry out; to perform; to hold (a Buddhist or Shinto ceremony)
to pile up; to accumulate; to estimate
to settle (in a place); to settle down
step; stride; counter for steps
still; even now; to this day
profit-and-loss arithmetic; calculating profit and loss; mercenary point of view
gradually (progressing); steadily; slowly; seeping out (sweat, tears, etc.)
doubling (repeatedly); multiplying
what little ... one has; tiny amount of; paltry
physical strength; power; stamina; strength (of a business, economy, etc.)
later; afterwards; future; after one's death; (arch.) descendant
most important condition (for); first prerequisite
quizzical; puzzled; inquisitive; suspicious; doubtful
to ask again; to repeat one's question; to ask back; to ask in return; to counter