today; this day; these days; recently; nowadays
step; stair; grade; rank; counter for breaks in written language (or speech, etc.); dan
mass meeting; convention; tournament; competition; grand event
luxury; extravagance; to live in luxury; to indulge oneself; lavish (use of something); abundant
tip-top; top; top-drawer; best; foremost; elite
the world; society; sphere; circle; world-renowned; world-famous
astringent; bitter; austere; elegant (and unobtrusive); sour (look); glum
stage (theatre, theater); scene or setting (e.g. of novel, play, etc.)
as a matter of fact; by the way; to tell you the truth; to be honest; frankly
greed; avarice; covetousness; greedy person
what!; oh; what the heck; what the; damn
than; from; out of; except; but; more
Japan's best; number one in Japan
definitely; absolutely; absolute; unconditional; absoluteness
difficult; hard; impossible; unfeasible; fussy; particular; gloomy
water (esp. cool, fresh water, e.g. drinking water); fluid (esp. in an animal tissue); liquid; flood; floodwaters; water offered to wrestlers just prior to a bout
to read out; to read aloud; to call out; to finish reading; to read through
senior high school; high school
sure; certain; reliable; trustworthy; If I'm not mistaken; If I remember correctly
pupil; student; schoolchild
endorsing and questioning the preceding statement; lamenting reflections on the preceding statement
so; therefore; accordingly; like I said; I told you already
number one; first; best; most; game; round
seat; location (of a gathering, etc.); place; position; post
knowledge; awareness; consent; acceptance; forgiving; pardoning
to change places; to relieve one another; to replace someone
seems; I think; I guess; don't you agree?; I thought you'd say that!
Excellent (grade); A; superiority; excellence; gentle; graceful
regret; chagrin; mortification; freedom from obstructive thoughts
to dispel; to clear away; to accomplish a goal; (arch.) to make it sunny; (arch.) to make clouds disappear
commander-in-chief; supreme commander; captain (of a team)
to challenge to (a fight, game, etc.); to throw down the gauntlet; to tackle (e.g. a problem); to attempt; to pressure (someone) for sex; to make advances to
doctor; PhD; exposition; fair; exhibition
surprise victory; upset; coup
genuine article; real thing; real deal
fox (esp. the red fox, Vulpes vulpes); fox (i.e. a sly person); soba or udon topped with deep-fried tofu; light brown; golden brown