foothold; footing; toehold; stepping stone
good-for-nothing; useless; worthless
decorum; propriety; politeness
being painfully true (e.g. reprimand); making one's ears burn; striking home (e.g. remark)
to turn up; to roll up (e.g. sleeves); to do over and over again; to do relentlessly; to stage a comeback (against) (in mahjong, horse racing, etc.); to come from behind
stubborn person; obstinate person; pig-headed person
free, unfettered and flexible; versatile; adaptable
without; unless; have to do
reminiscences; reminiscent discussion
retirement (from work); leading a quiet life (after retirement); retired person; retiree; surrendering headship of the family (pre-WWII)
shell; husk; hull; pod; chaff
moment; brief space of time
everything one does; whatever one does
to bring someone happiness; to make someone happy
to have a frost; to get frost; to become frosty; to become covered with frost
remarkably; noticeably; visibly; considerably; perceptibly; appreciably
season (period in which regulated games are played); season (division of the year); season (of a TV show, etc.); season (for doing something, e.g. ski season, entrance examination season)
biggest; greatest; largest; maximum
awarding; conferment; granting; presentation
conferring of decorations
appointment; nomination; ordination; commission; designation
human affairs; mundane matters; personnel affairs; human resources; human power; human effort
January; first month of the lunar calendar
audience (with a superior, e.g. nobility)
ceremony; matter; affair; with regard to; as for
continuance; survival; persistence; retention; duration
cautious; careful; shrewd; tactful; prudent; faultless
to get information; to find out; to get wind of
to be unable to endure; to be unable to stand (something); to lose patience
to level (earth); to cut through (a mountain); to split (the opposition); to break (strike)
excellent; superb; first-rate
to be forced to do or experience something (against one's will); to be forced to do something because one has no other choice
troublesome; bothersome; tiresome; annoying
enticement; inducement; attraction
to scatter; to sprinkle; to spray; to lavish (money, charm, etc.)