laying the groundwork; behind-the-scenes maneuvering; consensus-building process; digging around the roots of a tree (before transplanting)
to begin talking; to open up
loan; lending; favor; favour; creditor; method of lending
oh!; ah!; oh dear!; good grief!; dear me!; thank God!
confectionery shop; candy store; sweet shop
sharp-eyed; keen-eyed; easily awakened
previous generations; people of the past; ancients
investigation; inspection; examination; tune; note; melody
if you don't mind; if you like; if you feel up for it; if you're interested
market (financial, stock, domestic, etc.); marketplace; exchange; (street) market
inscription; epitaph; (manufacturer's) engraved signature; motto; maxim
first day of the month; the first of the month
full moon; 15th day of the lunar month
pearls thrown before swine; unused possession; useless possession; waste of talent
OK; okay; fine (without); not needed; unnecessary
to pinch; to hold (between one's fingers); to pick up and eat; to snack on; to pick out (the main point); to summarize
to get mended; to be repaired; to return to normal; to recover (e.g. one's temper); to be corrected; to get put right; to come right
to split finely; to splinter; to get frayed; to become irritable; to feel on edge
to be harboured (of negative feelings or thoughts); to be rooted in one's mind; to coil; to curl around; to become tangled (e.g. of roots)
detestable; despicable; abhorrent
just because; even if; even though
besides; furthermore; on top of that; and yet; nevertheless; even so
mature; experienced; precocious; mature for one's age
to finish writing; to complete; to write down (e.g. a list); to write out
to make a speech; to address
to finish reading; to read through; to figure out; to fully anticipate
to stretch larger; to enlarge (photos); to delay (e.g. the end of a meeting)
state of mind; mentality; psychology
conduct; behaviour; movements; gesture; performance (on stage, etc.); dance
aristocrat; nobleman; dignitary; person of high rank
drawer; withdrawal (of money from an account); variety of knowledge and experience useful for handling things impromptu
written investigation; report of an investigation; school record (on a student); transcript (of grades)
wife; Mrs; (arch.) wife of a nobleman; (arch.) consort (of the emperor) of the third rank (ritsuryō system)
appointing someone to a position of trust; entrusting someone with an important position; making much of
full; wholehearted; utmost; overall width
to like; to love; to be fond of
single; solo; solitary; just one; only one
falling in love; attachment
memories; recollections; reminiscence
to become calm (of the wind, sea, etc.); to die down