high class; high grade; high rank; seniority
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
hard to understand; Byzantine fashion
particular; special; (not) particularly; (not) especially
close contest; close match; close game; close combat
dorayaki; dessert sandwich of two small sweet pancakes and red bean paste
characteristic; like oneself; worthy of oneself
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)
birth; creation; formation
rumor; rumour; gossip; speculation; irresponsible criticism; hearsay
fortuitous; luck; windfall; godsend; good fortune
breaking through; breakthrough; surmounting; overcoming; exceeding; passing
tolerable; passable; adequate; so-so
to take one's place; to take one's position; to go into position; to line up
beginning of the game; kickoff; face-off
to keep step (with); to keep pace (with); to move in lockstep; to align (with another's thoughts or actions)
to darken; to get dark; to be clouded; to be hidden (behind clouds)
affected; smug; pompous; conceited; snobby; pretentious
nonsense; silly talk; drivel; rubbish
(natural) satellite; moon; (artificial) satellite
ten (long cylindrical things)
adventurous; risky; hazardous; perilous
unable to stomach; sticking in one's throat; displeased with
(someone else's) child; child; kid
adventure; venture; venture which is unlikely to succeed; risky attempt; danger
to steal a glance; to intercept and read (e.g. other people's email)
new rice; first rice crop of the year; novice; beginner; newcomer
tolerant; generous; lenient; broad-minded; magnanimous
real intention; motive; true opinion; what one really thinks
to think; to consider; to think (of doing); to plan (to do); to judge; to assess; to imagine
to bear in mind; to keep remembering; to note
to be forced to do or experience something (against one's will); to be forced to do something because one has no other choice
to know; to understand; to be aware of; to consent; to agree
sharp-edged tool; sharp weapon; convenience; facility; superior talent; outstanding ability