defence forces; defence corps
shabby; dull; cheap; lackluster; uninspiring; depressing
summoning; calling; riding; (high-quality) silk crepe (fabric)
I'm sorry; my apologies; may I come in?; permission; leave; dismissal
to take on; to undertake; to take over; to inherit; to guarantee; to vouch for
how should I put it?; what shall I say?; well, you know; like
ornamental plant used primarily for the visual effect of its fruit
performer; entertainer; celebrity
elegance; refinement; grace; aroma
growth; breeding; growing up (in, as); upbringing
common people; ordinary people; masses
if times were better; if one had been born at an earlier, more opportune time; if times had not changed; if I had my due
to degenerate; to lapse into
to open (e.g. doors); to open (e.g. business, etc.); to be empty; to be vacant; to be available; to be open (e.g. neckline, etc.); to have been opened (of one's eyes, mouth, etc.)
ace up one's sleeve; trump card; secret skills; secret; (arch.) left hand
lunch; (Western-style) single-plate lunch set; plate lunch; launch (boat); motorboat; ranch
to shine; to glitter; to sparkle
to descend (e.g. a mountain); to go down; to alight (e.g. from bus); to get off; to step down; to retire; to be granted
absorbed in; immersed in; forgetting oneself; daze; within a dream; while dreaming
counter; service counter (e.g. at a bank); counter (at a bar, cafe, etc.); automatically responding with an upload slot to someone who allows you to download (e.g. in P2P systems)
with a clatter; with a rattle; empty; bare; raspy (voice); gravelly; with a gargle
senior high school (esp. the senior high school section of a school that also encompasses other grades)
class (of students); group (of people); party; lot; bunch; crime family; organized-crime syndicate
take-out; take-away; carry-out
to entrust; to leave to a person
tree; shrub; bush; wood; timber
cache; place to hide something
check; keeping in check; containment (of enemy forces); diversionary action; pickoff throw; holding a runner on base
right on the heels of yesterday, then today ...; soon after something, and yet now ...
quick; fast; rapid; swift; prompt; streamlined
person concerned; people involved (in an event); those concerned; staff
all present; all concerned; all of us
to respond; to answer; to meet (e.g. demands, expectations); to affect; to take a toll; to strike home
book; document; calligraphy (esp. Chinese); penmanship; handwriting; letter
illegal channel; back channel; black market
the government; Administration