hypermeter; excess syllables in haiku, waka, etc.
carving; engraving; sculpture; tattoo
hardly any; almost nonexistent; very little
if you like; if you prefer; if it suits you; if it's fine with you; if you don't mind; if necessary
command; direction; supervision; conducting (an orchestra, choir, etc.)
offering (e.g. to the gods); votive offering
children's story; fairy tale
advantage; benefit; merit; good point; plus
disadvantage; drawback; demerit; bad point; minus
groping (for); fumbling around (for); searching (for an answer, solution, etc.); trying to find
to ask (about); to inquire; to enquire; to question; to make sure of
whole year; all year round; always; all the time; during an era; second-year kindergarten student
one's later years; final years (in life)
to arrive (at one's destination); to reach; to come to a head; to reach a conclusion; to culminate (in)
of great promise; with a promising future
to fall in love at first sight; (arch.) to see for the first time; (arch.) to meet for the first time; (arch.) to have sexual relations for the first time
ability; gift; talent; sai; traditional unit of volume, approx. 1.8 ml
promising stock; stock with potential; hopeful stock; promising person; person with good prospects
story; topic (on everyone's lips); (the stuff of) legend
(for) the time being; (for) the present; immediate; present; (for) some time (after); checking account
best pupil; leading disciple
to colour; to color; to grow lively; to become excited; to waver; to show uneasiness
violently; without holding anything back; firmly; resolutely
cheerful; lively; lighthearted
stillness; silence; quiet; hush; calm; serenity
eagerness; enthusiasm; fervor; excitement; fighting spirit; fighting mood
lip service; mere words; professions; lips; mouth; snout
to give someone a surprise; to catch off guard and fluster; to frustrate (e.g. someone's plans); to give someone a blow; to scare the hell out of
to be enthusiastic (about); to be eager (to do); to be keen; to be intent (on); to be determined
overly optimistic; easygoing; irresponsible; naive; simple-minded
fighting back; returning fire; counter-attack; responding to an attack; accepting a challenge
to strike (someone) down; to knock down; to thrash; to place firmly
coward; chicken; yellow-belly; sneaky person; underhanded person; dastardly person
surprise attack; sneak attack; foul play
to kill (with a weapon); to slay; to defeat (an opponent); to beat