reading; reading (of a kanji, esp. kun reading); reading (e.g. of a situation); insight
foundation; base; basis; from the beginning; from the outset; by nature
eye; eyeball; eyesight; sight; look; stare; notice
care of (e.g. address on letter); c/o; encouragement; bringing around; stimulant; tonic
absurd; unreasonable; excessive; very; extremely; excessively
stars; the stars and planets; celestial bodies
to be fascinated (by); to be captivated by; to be enchanted by; to gaze admiringly at; to watch in fascination
off the mark; off base; misdirected; irrelevant
to shine on; to illuminate; to compare (with); to refer to
oh!; ah!; oh dear!; good grief!; dear me!; thank God!
looking away; looking aside
to start; to begin; to challenge; to pick (a fight); to set (traps); to plant (explosives)
double take (esp. out of surprise)
twice; again; second time
to ask; to inquire; to blame (someone) for; to accuse of; to care about; to regard as important
to help; to assist; to aid; to contribute to; to be a factor in
all of a sudden; unexpected; abrupt; sudden
to despair of; to see the vanity of
throwing oneself (e.g. into the water to commit suicide)
question; inquiry; enquiry
to return (something); to restore; to turn over; to turn upside down; to pay back; to retaliate; to respond (with)
(what) the heck; (why) in the world; one object; one body; one form; one style
expectation; anticipation; hope; promising; rising; up-and-coming
that is to say; that is; in short; in brief; clogging; obstruction; shrinkage
human being; human; person; character (of a person)
it cannot be that...; it is highly unlikely that...; it is impossible that...
absolute basics; very rudiments
consideration; inquiry; enquiry; investigation; study
wholeheartedly; with heart and soul; intently; with undivided attention; with intense concentration; single-mindedly
to search for; to look for; to hunt for; to search (a house, pocket, etc.); to search through; to rummage in (e.g. a drawer)
limit; limits; degree; extent; the end; the last; as long as ...
right beside; close to; nearby
even if; even though; even; too; whether ... or ...; no matter (what, where, who, etc.)
especially; particularly; surely; clearly; as if; as though
person; character; one's character; one's personality; able person; talented person
to be seized with fear; to be intimidated; to lose one's nerve; to be frightened; to get cold feet; to chicken out
method; process; manner; way; means; technique
serious; earnest; real sword (as opposed to a wooden practice weapon)
groping (for); fumbling around (for); searching (for an answer, solution, etc.); trying to find
hum; hmm; hm hm (light chuckle with mouth closed); uh-huh; mm; hmm
to incline one's head to the side (in doubt); to tilt one's head to the side (in confusion); to be puzzled
wise; sensible; well-advised; intelligent; sagacious; prudent