to give one's name; to introduce oneself; to announce one's candidacy
ambush; troops in ambush; unexpected opposition; unexpected obstacle
indefinite; hazy; vague; unsettled; undecided
year; age; years; past one's prime; old age
intelligence gathering; information gathering
secret information; intelligence
to excel at; to be proficient at; to grow old; to ripen; to rise high (e.g. of the sun)
poem; poetry; verse; Chinese poem
to write down; to make a note of; to put on record; to chronicle
20th day of the month; 20 days
18th day of the month; 18 days
January; first month of the lunar calendar
leading; prominent; eminent; counting on one's fingers
a mere ...; only a ...; insignificant
negotiations; bargaining; discussions; connection; relationship; relations
incoherent; wandering; vague; rambling; whimsical
wall clock; grandfather clock
what time; (lit.) which hour
awkward; uncomfortable; embarrassing
guardian; protector; patron; parent
to watch steadily; to stare
downheartedly; dejectedly; dispiritedly; despondently
to be sad; to mourn for; to regret
sometimes; occasionally; at times; seasonal; of the season; appropriate (for the season or occasion)
to look (sound, behave) grown-up; to be adult-like; to mature
material (for a story, article, etc.); information; joke; jest; proof; evidence; (magician's) trick
without a moment's delay; at once; immediately; instantly; promptly; without hesitation
dishonor; dishonour; disgrace; shame
common knowledge; being well-known; making (something) well-known
to keep a watchful eye on
origin; genesis; opening; start; beginning
to take pains; to take time for someone; to do work for someone; to go to trouble for someone
safe and secure; safe and worry-free
teasing; banter; ribbing; jest; making fun (of); poking fun (at)
in a crowd; ganging up (on); joining forces
age-appropriate (esp. of clothing, hairstyles)
to take (someone) along; to bring along; to be accompanied by
local specialty or souvenir bought as a gift while traveling (travelling); present brought by a visitor; something unpleasant that one is given (e.g. an illness while on vacation); unwelcome gift