to operate (e.g. a machine); to handle; to have a good command of (a language); to play proficiently (of a musical instrument); to work (a puppet); to pull the strings of a puppet
via; through; by doing; by means of; using
process; operation; stage of a process; progress of work
splendid; nice; sufficient; fine (in the sense of "I'm fine"); well enough; OK
skillful; skilled; proficient; flattery
everyday conversation; day-to-day conversation
obstacle; hindrance; impediment; difficulty
true feelings; real intention; one's heart; one's right mind; one's senses; one's conscience
superior; excellent; brilliant; outstanding
one's home country; one's homeland
national language; Japanese language (often as a school subject in Japan); native Japanese words (as opposed to loanwords)
if anything; conversely; putting it the other way around; coming at it from the opposite angle
professional job; profession
to experience chest pain; to have a pain in one's chest; to feel sick at heart; to have one's heart ache; to be anguished
to get down to business; to cut to the chase; to get straight to the point; to move on to the main subject
so much; so often; oh, yes!; that's it; that's right; quite
good-natured person; good person; (one's) lover; boyfriend; girlfriend
waiting on a table; serving (at dinner); waiter; waitress; office boy; office girl
to call for somebody; to come for someone; to pick someone up
together (of two people); both (of you, them, etc.)
painful; heartrending; trying; oppressive; suffocating; miserable
small; little; tiny; insignificant; humble; modest
better; preferable; more; increase; (arch.) increase; (arch.) growth
calm; quiet; gentle; moderate; reasonable; amicable
pivot; vital point; cornerstone; Japanese photinia
advance (into a new market or stage of progress); launching (a new career or venture); expanding (into a new market); stepping forward; emerging
to hunt (animals); to search (for a criminal); to go looking for (flowers, etc.); to gather (mushrooms)
one's own strength or effort; (by) oneself
to bend; to crook; to lean; to tilt; to bend (the truth); to distort
to let go of; to release; to part with (e.g. a possession); to relinquish; to send away (e.g. one's child); to let go
request; favor; favour; reliance; dependence; trust
indicates supposition; if ... then; when; (typically after someone's name) indicates exasperation
suspicious; dubious; doubtful; unsure; untrustworthy; unreliable; strange
to roll over; to tumble; to roll about (with laughter)
lack; deficiency; vacancy; absence; non-attendance