indicates sentence topic; indicates contrast with another option (stated or unstated); adds emphasis
light; right; right field; right fielder
indicates sentence subject (occasionally object); indicates possessive (esp. in literary expressions); but; however; regardless of; whether (or not)
to defend oneself; to protect oneself
coincidence; chance; by chance; unexpectedly; contingency
be; is; did; (have) done; please; do
right?; isn't it?; hey; say; you know; you see; will you?
even if; even though; even; too; whether ... or ...; no matter (what, where, who, etc.)
terrible; dreadful; amazing (e.g. of strength); great (e.g. of skills); to a great extent; vast (in numbers)
one; for one thing; only; (not) even; just (e.g. "just try it"); some kind of; one type of
to attach; to join; to furnish (a house with); to wear; to put on; to keep a diary; to make an entry
only; just; merely; as much as; to the extent of; enough to
and yet; despite this; but even so; but even then; however; nevertheless
indicates possessive; nominalizes verbs and adjectives; substitutes for "ga" in subordinate phrases; (at sentence-end, falling tone) indicates a confident conclusion; (at sentence-end) indicates emotional emphasis; (at sentence-end, rising tone) indicates question
circumference; girth; surroundings; neighbourhood; people surrounding oneself; surrounding circumstances
terrible; dreadful; amazing (e.g. of strength); great (e.g. of skills); to a great extent; vast (in numbers)
to shine; to glitter; to be bright
to be seen; to be in sight; to look; to seem; to come
hey; you; hey; hey; hold on; yo
something; some; somehow; for some reason; (is there) something (you want, etc.)
secret; secrecy; mystery; secret (e.g. to success); esoteric teachings
to be; to exist; to have; to be located; to be equipped with; to happen
at (place, time); in; to (direction, state); toward; for (purpose); because of (reason); for
aaah!; oooh!; oh no!; oh boy!
the expectation is that ...; the reason is that ...; the fact is that ...; the explanation is that ...; it is that ...
early; a little earlier than usual; a little faster than usual; slightly quicker
lighting (a lamp); turning on a light
safety reflector; reflector; reflective material
wearing (e.g. uniform, seat belt); having on
at; in; at; when; by; with; and then
street at night; making a night journey
indicates direct object of action; indicates subject of causative expression; indicates an area traversed; indicates time (period) over which action takes place; indicates point of departure or separation of action; indicates object of desire, like, hate, etc.
to run; to run (of a vehicle); to drive; to rush (to); to dash; to retreat; to flee
too; also; both A and B; A as well as B; even; as much as
glasses; eyeglasses; spectacles; judgment; judgement; discrimination
to make; to produce; to prepare (food); to brew (alcohol); to raise; to grow; to till
I wonder; should I?; is it?; I wish that; I hope that