cushion; cushion (to soften the blow); mitigation
to take a breather; to take a rest; to catch one's breath; to take a breath
to succeed (a person, to a position, etc.); to inherit; to patch (clothes); to mend; to add (e.g. charcoal to the fire); to replenish with
stupid; meaningless; worthless; hopeless (person, situation); beyond help; beyond saving
the last moment; the very end
to sniff out; to get wind of
restlessly; aimlessly; to loiter; to drift; to be restless; to fuss
attitude; manner; behaviour; attitude (towards an issue, etc.); position; stance
softening; softening (of attitude); mollification; weakening (of the market); blanching (of vegetables; by depriving them of light)
district; area; zone; quarter; section; region
distinguished family; famous family; noble family; prestigious organization (company, school, etc.)
major company; big company; front castle gate; force attacking the front of a castle
the same; the said; likewise
valley; ravine; gorge; canyon
carpenter's square; instigation; suggestion; metal wire with a prop animal (e.g. butterfly, bird) attached to the end; rod used to control the arm of a puppet (in bunraku)
speaker; lecturer; lecturer (at a university or college); instructor; part-time teacher; tutor (at a cram school)
to vie with one's opponent
selection; choice; choosing; picking; election
narrow margin; slim margin
to be defeated; to be beaten; to be unsuccessful; to lose
difficult to be (in a place); not feeling like staying
one's social standing; one's position; one's place; one's station in life
to compete (with each other); to contend for; to vie for; to rival
pleasant; agreeable; comfortable; refreshing
recommendation (of a person for a position); nomination
short pillar set on a beam to support a ridgepole; mud wall with raised roof edge (as a fire wall and status symbol); raised roof edge
gloomy; melancholy; pessimistic; luxuriant (of vegetation)
I would rather; I would as lief do; strong preference
promotion; advancement; rising in rank
happy; auspicious; propitious; naive
(compulsory) retirement (on reaching retirement age); mandatory retirement
to visit and comfort or console; to go to see (e.g. someone in hospital); to ask after (e.g. someone's health); to attack; to hit; to strike
pupil; disciple; adherent; follower; apprentice; young person
to tide over a difficult situation; to use a stopgap measure in a crisis
normal value; normal level
to let out; to utter; to issue; to send; to leave; to depart
ultrasound examination; ultrasound scan; ultrasonography
unmistakable; evident; outright; authentic