unprofitable department; loss-making division; loss-making segment
dwindling; declining; diminishing; tapering (to a point)
being painfully-true (e.g. reprimand); making one's ears burn; striking home (e.g. remark)
breaking off relations; disconnection; insulation (esp. electrical); isolation
plan; scheme; plot; design; project; intention
rival candidate; opposing candidate
toddling; taking tottering steps
south wind tile; winning hand with a pung (or kong) of south wind tiles
(husband and wife) both working; dual income
to quit one's job; to resign
putting an end to; bringing to a close; person who opens and closes the curtains (in a theatre)
interest; entertainment; pleasure; implicit comparison (style of the Shi Jing)
point worthy of note; highlight; high point; good prospects for the future; promise
light brown; golden brown; tan
small grain; small stature or ability
smooth (skin, etc.); sleek; velvety; silky
elasticity; resilience; flexibility; adaptability
social standing of a family; lineage; parentage; good family
well-bred; of good upbringing
ramble; saunter; walk; wander; stroll
rotary; roundabout; traffic circle; rotary; rotating
China; Han dynasty (China, 202 BCE-220 CE); Han (majority Chinese ethnic group); man
palace; tonic (of the Japanese and Chinese pentatonic scale); ancient Chinese punishment (castration for men, or confinement for women); zodiacal sign
Western food; Western-style food
Viking; smorgasbord; buffet; smorgasbord (of things); hodge-podge
Dynasty (TV progrram, etc.)
existence; possession; having; limited company
to turn 50; to reach 50 years of age
turning thirty and therefore becoming independent; at thirty, one stands on one's own
cluster of trees; grove; thicket
mausoleum; shrine; the (imperial) court
chestnut-color; chestnut-colour
temple; shrine; hall; company; (arch.) front room
The Matsushita Institute of Government and Management
as if (something untrue were actually true); like hell (e.g. "like hell I will")
root; source; origin; foundation; basis; essence