pride; dignity; self-respect
racking one's brains; worrying oneself; being anxious
to backfire; to produce a result opposite to what was expected or intended
to be negligent in doing something; to shirk; to be off one's guard
prior investment; upfront investment
large (amount of money); huge; hefty; expensive
traditional; from ancient times; formerly
to be interested in; to take an interest in; to care about
precious; valuable; priceless; noble; exalted; sacred
grand; magnificent; majestic; great; sublime
to imitate; to follow; to emulate
habit (often a bad habit, i.e. vice); tendency; peculiarity; idiosyncrasy; crease; wrinkle
how should I put it?; what shall I say?; well, you know; like
to whinge; to kvetch; to gripe; to complain; to whine
grudge; complaint; reproach
depression; recession; slump
Osaka (city); (arch.) large hill
sumi; India ink; squid ink; octopus ink; carpenter's inking string
natural features; topography; climate; spiritual features
cornerstone; main point; requirement; need; necessary; required
everything working out as desired
inconvenient; inexpedient; unfavourable; wrong; improper; objectionable
early; soon; quickly; swiftly; rapidly
instead of; replacing; on behalf of
keeping things tidy and in order
to be scrupulous; to be attentive; to be prudent; to be complete; to be thorough
canteen; flask; water bottle; thermos
to gain time; to play for time; to buy time
stimulating; exciting; provocative