a few seconds; several seconds
longish; moderately long; somewhat long; fairly long
poor-quality; shoddy; unskillful; inexpert; unlucky
elevation (of spirits); raising (of morale); uplift; upsurge
to lose strength; to become weak; to wither; to droop; to feel demotivated; to lose interest
nasty; mean; heartless; inconsiderate; selfish
paying back a favour; repayment (of an obligation, kindness, etc.)
moderate; reserved; modest; temperate; restrained; low-key
epidermis; cuticle; bark; epidermis; facade
brilliance; polish; lustre; luster; glossy finish
objet d'art; item of artwork; object; curio
to suck on; to cling to; to chew on
to hold between (e.g. one's fingers, chopsticks); to grip (from both sides); to put between; to sandwich between; to catch (e.g. a finger in a door); to trap; to insert (e.g. a break into proceedings)
to dip out; to scoop up; to ladle out
character (esp. kanji); letter; handwriting; penmanship; the ... word (e.g. "the L word" = "love")
(not) even once; (not) ever
following a single pattern; conforming to the same pattern; one-track; single-track; repetitive; predictable
to recite; to chant; to read aloud
entering; entrance; attendance; audience; containing; income; earnings
though one didn't intend (expect) to
skill; expertise; experience; proficiency; mastery; dexterity
no sooner than; as soon as; immediately after; at the thought of; when I think about
moderate; proper; just right
conscious; deliberate; intentional
restriction; restraint; limitation; limit
seems to be; appears to have; supposed to be
greed; craving; desire; appetite; hunger; avarice
government office; agency; board
to place on (something); to give (someone) a ride; to give a lift; to load (luggage); to carry; to send out (on the airwaves, etc.); to deceive
to squeeze (to the utmost); to wring out; to squeeze (money) out of someone; to wring (money) from; to scold; to criticize severely; to train ruthlessly
to pound (e.g. heart); to pulse (e.g. vein); to pulsate
to become weak; to decline; to wear; to abate; to decay; to wither
to set one's sights on; to take aim (at); to have one's mind on
to summon courage; to be brave
gift; boon; godsend; (good) result; fruit (e.g. of one's efforts)
memory; sense; experience
if that is the case; if it becomes so; when it becomes so
uncontainable; irrepressible; uncontrollable
special move (e.g. in martial arts)
pleasant feeling; good vibes
immediately; right away; at once; easily; readily
great (i.e. great-grandson, great-grandmother)
even; if only; if just; as long as; the only thing needed
coming out; going out; attending (work); appearing (on stage); start; beginning; origins
faintly; dimly; slightly; barely