to dilute; to water down; to thin; to soften (e.g. a statement, impression, etc.); to weaken (e.g. an effect); to tone down
weak and small; inferior in strength and size; minor; young; youthful
point (of a story, argument, etc.); key point; point; site; point (in scoring); point (in a loyalty program); points
in name only; titular; nominal
to eat; to live; to make a living; to bite; to sting (as insects do); to tease; to torment
to be a match for; to rival; to equal; to compare with; to be equivalent to
seedling; sapling; young tree
no holds barred; anything goes; no limits
seedling; young plant; rice seedling
to connect; to tie; to fasten; to transfer (phone call)
being left in an awkward position; being put in a dilemma; being in a fix; losing face
to have; to possess; to own; to be endowed with
utilization of water; water supply; irrigation; water transportation; navigability (e.g. of a river)
important position; strategic point; important point; main point; essentials
to work assiduously; to give one's all; to make the utmost effort; (lit.) to make (grind) one's body into dust
attachment (esp. to things); love; affection; fondness
pride; self-confidence; thinking highly of oneself; being proud of one's abilities or achievements
from the beginning; from scratch
to engage in; to participate in; to take part in; to be involved in
flower; blossom; cherry blossom; beauty; blooming (esp. of cherry blossoms); ikebana; hanafuda
to be on the verge of; to be about to; to be on the point of
distinguished or meritorious service
treatment (of a person); dealing with
to go around; to make a circle around; to surround; to circle; to come around (of a season, anniversary, turn, etc.); to return
full of wiles and tricks; match between persons equal in shrewdness mobilizing all the tricks each can muster; shrewdly avoiding the opponent's strong points and attacking its weaknesses
common knowledge; well-known fact
cold reception; inhospitality
to anyone; to everyone; by anyone; by everyone; in everyone; in anyone
receiving (from a superior); bestowed
unprecedented; unique; unparalleled
to drive away; to order off; to chase away; to force into an unpleasant situation (bankruptcy, prostitution, suicide, etc.)
tree sparrow (Passer montanus); talkative person; knowledgeable person
boor; rustic; country bumpkin; lout
shackles; fetters; irons; bonds (e.g. family); ties; binding relationship
at first; in the beginning; originally
travels; pilgrimage; itinerancy; (accumulated) experiences; (personal) history
to check through; to thoroughly investigate
settlement; immigration; entering a (Japanese) settlement
to follow; to accompany; to serve; to work under; to obey
water content; moisture; water vapor (vapour); steam; dropsy; edema
investigation; examination; inquiry; enquiry; survey
barely; narrowly; only just; with difficulty
stronghold; inner citadel; base; headquarters
to decide; to determine; to establish; to lay down; to bring peace (to); to make peaceful