beginner; novice; neophyte
long ago; a long time ago; already
to speak with restraint; to understate; to downplay; to put it mildly; to say the least
more than most people; more than other people; compared with other people; more than others
border; boundary; turning point; watershed; area; region
rather than; more ... than ...
embodiment; manifestation; materialization; materialisation; expression; indication
to hold a sword above one's head; to be haughty; to be arrogant
to work hard; to work diligently; to do one's best; to try one's hardest
already; previously; before; undeniably; unmistakably
sudden; abrupt; improvised; hasty; impromptu skit; bandwagon fan
presence (e.g. of an observer); observation; trading session (at an exchange); rising from a crouch to charge; initial charge
rock-paper-scissors (game); janken
counter for choices, options, etc.
dwindling; declining; diminishing; tapering (to a point)
quick-witted; bright; rapid thinking
extension of a straight line; (conclusion) following as an extension of (an argument)
overall; general; as a whole
to have a (rough) idea (of what the situation is)
hard worker; hardworking person
to establish; to formulate
reason; logic; method; system; order
work; labor; achievement; performance; salary; income
flawless; absolute perfection
steady; honest; sober; straightforward; reliable
adviser; someone to consult with; someone to turn to about one's concerns; confidant
very popular; highly favoured
foundation stone; cornerstone
starting point; origin; origin (of coordinate axes); datum point
to call (someone) to come; to call for; to summon; to always call (someone by a name); to become used to calling
nth period (e.g. nth class in school day)
homeroom; form room; home run; human resources; HR; heart rate
trot; half run; jog; girl in charge of menial tasks in a samurai family
appearance; air; condition; state; form
eyesore; offensive sight; offense to the eye; obstruction (to the view of something)
weight; weight (e.g. of someone's words); burden; importance; significance
tuber; taro; yokel; bumpkin; dud; worthless thing
intelligence gathering; information gathering
the question remains; it comes into question