national language; Japanese language (often as a school subject in Japan); native Japanese words (as opposed to loanwords)
poor (at); weak (in); not very good (at); not one's cup of tea; not one's favorite
concerning; regarding; per (e.g. 100 yen per person); for every
term; terminology; wording; choice of words; phraseology
somehow or other; for some reason or another; without knowing why
not quite (right); not very good; somewhat (lacking)
to well (up); to gush forth (of water); to appear (esp. suddenly) (sweat, tears, etc.); to feel emotions from (joy, bravery, etc.); to hatch (esp. of parasitic insects, etc.)
trade; buying and selling
target; object (of worship, study, etc.); subject (of taxation, etc.)
to buy; to purchase; to value; to have a high opinion; to stir; to provoke
any; anything; whatever; I am told; I hear; I understand
to do what one is told to; to take someone's advice; to listen to what someone says
unusual; rare; new; novel; fine (e.g. gift)
growth; breeding; growing up (in, as); upbringing
overserious; deeply sincere; very earnest
fellow; guy; thing; object; he; she
bad taste (e.g. in clothes); poor taste
to keep company; to listen to; to associate with; to play against (e.g. a team); to take on (e.g. a rival)
it's not like; it isn't as if
to be raised (e.g. child); to be brought up; to grow (up)
to each his own; people differ; different people (have different likes)
whether or not (in phrases like "I don't know whether or not I can come")
unrelated; irrelevant; unconcerned; unconnected
simple; plain; uncomplicated; straightforward; simple-minded; naive
labor; labour; manpower; working force
present age; present day; today; modern era; modern times
to happen to have on hand or in stock
sense of values; values; value system
to accept; to receive; to agree
to be angry; to resent; to be enraged; to be indignant
to rub; to chafe; to wear out; to become worn; to lose one's innocence; to become sly
have to (verb); must (verb); is indispensable; absolutely necessary
nonsense; no meaning; meaningless