reality; actuality; hard fact
unpleasant; disgusting; loathsome; shameful; scandalous
axis; shaft; center; centre; stalk; stem
graduations (on a ruler, thermometer, etc.); gradations; division; scale
rough (estimate, summary, etc.); broad; general; careless (e.g. work); sloppy; crude
decrease; reduction; decline
to grow long (e.g. hair, nails); to lengthen; to extend; to reach out; to hold out; to straighten; to smooth out
amount left over; remaining portion
clear layer of fluid (at the top of a mixture); supernatant liquid; supernate
repeated cultivation damage (same crop, same soil); continuous cropping hazard; replant failure
a few years ago; some years back
to exceed (esp. figures: profits, unemployment rate, etc.); to surpass; to be more than; to be better than
(crop) damage owing to disease or blight
crop; crops; (agricultural) produce; farm products
manuring; fertilization; fertilisation
deadlock; stalemate; standstill; hopeless position; lost game; zugzwang
bashful; shameful; ashamed
harmful effect; harmful influence; evil practice; abuse; malady
to induce (someone to do something); to tempt; to act toward (someone in a certain way); to handle (men); to send; to forward to
something said for politeness' sake; diplomatic language; honeyed words; lip service; empty compliment
source of worry; source of distress
falling into a doze; dozing off; nodding off
digging for sweet potatoes (esp. as an outing); country bumpkin; yokel
playing with dirt; gardening; farming (as a hobby)
manure; fertilizer; fertiliser; compost
Hokkaido (island, prefectural-level administrative unit)
Okinawa (city, prefecture)
idleness; lack of application; lazy study habits
being enthusiastic about; being wild about; being absorbed in; being engrossed in; being devoted to