foreigner; foreign citizen; foreign national; alien; non-Japanese
fluently (speaking a foreign language); incessantly (speaking); glibly; one after the other (flipping through pages); thin (paper, cloth, etc.); flimsy
to catch (someone's words); to make out; to follow; to ask about (a situation, circumstances, etc.); to inquire
study; diligence; discount; reduction
private tutor; coach; governess
hard to understand; Byzantine fashion
particular; special; (not) particularly; (not) especially
suburb; residential area on the outskirt of a city; commuter belt
pupil; student; schoolchild
close contest; close match; close game; close combat
shade; shadow; behind (something); other side; background; behind the scenes
to act violently; to rage; to struggle; to be riotous
dorayaki; dessert sandwich of two small sweet pancakes and red bean paste
audience seating; (spectator) stands; auditorium; stadium
characteristic; like oneself; worthy of oneself
to be flustered; to lose one's presence of mind
raising the curtain; opening (of an event); start of a season
elbowing (someone); rejection; rebuff
to eat; to drink; to receive (e.g. a blow); to be on the receiving end (of something undesirable); to undergo (trouble)
to come true (of a wish, prayer, etc.); to be realized; to suit (e.g. a purpose); to meet (wishes, ideals, etc.); to match (implies competition); to rival
as a matter of fact; actually; effectively; in reality; in effect
birth; creation; formation
to wind (of a road, etc.); to meander; to twist; to undulate; to surge; to swell
rumor; rumour; gossip; speculation; irresponsible criticism; hearsay
to overturn; to capsize; to overthrow (government etc.); to reverse (decision etc.); to disprove (an established theory etc.)
fortuitous; luck; windfall; godsend; good fortune
to reward; to recompense; to repay; to retaliate; to get revenge
breaking through; breakthrough; surmounting; overcoming; exceeding; passing
favourable; favorable; promising; satisfactory; in good shape
tolerable; passable; adequate; so-so
to take one's place; to take one's position; to go into position; to line up
fifth court rank; black-crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax); night heron; five ranks; five stages
meeting up; gathering; assembly; set
beginning of the game; kickoff; face-off
prescribed; designated; appointed; fixed