severe; strict; hard (to do); difficult; intense (e.g. cold); harsh (weather)
reprimand; rebuke; reproach; scolding
lifespan; life; lifetime; life (of a battery, lightbulb, etc.); service life; end of an object's (useful) life
to shorten; to narrow; to close; to shrink
circumstances; sequence of events; how things got this way; details; particulars
spectacular move (chess, shogi, etc.); brilliant move; expert; virtuoso; master
to groan; to moan; to roar; to howl; to hum (engine, wind, etc.); to buzz; to ooh and aah (in admiration)
origin; genesis; opening; start; beginning
unskillful; poor; awkward; imprudent; untactful
terrible; dreadful; terrifying; surprising; startling; tremendous
snake; serpent; large snake
to poke (repeatedly, lightly); to nudge; to peck at (one's food); to pick at; to peck at (someone's faults, etc.); to egg on
inquisitively; pryingly; nosily; thoroughly; persistently; through-and-through
unrefined (character, manners); mean; vulgar; bad taste; lacking style
pursuit (of a goal, ideal, etc.); search; chase; seeking after
dispersal; breaking up; running away; fleeing
young; innocent; childlike
lovely; sweet; pretty; cute; adorable
to wet; to moisten; to dampen; to soak; to dip
drop (e.g. of water); drip
shivering (with cold); trembling (with fear); shuddering
to polish; to shine; to burnish; to refine (a skill, etc.); to improve; to hone
mirror surface; lens surface
to cling to; to hold on to; to grapple; to set about doing; to begin; to possess (someone; of an evil spirit, idea, etc.)
island; one's territory (of a sex worker, organized crime gang, etc.); one's turf
height (e.g. of summer); peak (e.g. of cherry blossom season); prime (of one's life); (one's) best days; (being in) heat; rut
to assume an air of ...; to act ...; to affect ...; to put on airs; to be self-important
(hand) towel; handkerchief
other intention; hidden purpose; ulterior motive; ill will; malice
if you don't mind; if you like; if you feel up for it; if you're interested
to be bad for health; to affect one's health
to add (numbers); to add (something); to top up (with something); to take care of (e.g. one's business)
better than nothing; better than none at all
hard; solid; stiff; tight; strong; firm (not viscous or easily moved); safe
to warp; to curve; to arch; to bend backward (body or body part, e.g. fingers)
villainous; rascally; knavish; (arch.) independent; (arch.) self-reliant
person; -er; (arch.) expert; (arch.) geisha; (arch.) prostitute
nervousness; oversensitivity
razor; razor-sharp (mind, intellect, etc.); keen; astute person; person of keen intellect
after (a long process); at the end of; last line (of a renga)
comprehension; consent; understanding; OK; roger
to relax; to release tension from one's muscles; to let go limp