sparse; thin; scattered; straggling; sporadic
vice-minister; undersecretary
something; something or other; so-and-so; somehow; anyhow; one way or another
to play (games, sports); to enjoy oneself; to mess about (with alcohol, gambling, philandery, etc.); to be idle; to do nothing; to meet up (with friends); to hang out
that's the way it is; such is life
to ask a question; to ask questions
mark; sign; (arch.) plain wood showing the seating order of officials at court; (arch.) nameplate
every corner; every nook and cranny; all the ins and outs
empty; void; vain; fruitless; lifeless
to make a splash; to evoke a response; to meet with a reaction
in a few days; in the near future; soon; one of these days
to work on (someone); to appeal to; to make approaches to; to begin to work
Kumamoto (city, prefecture)
holding a castle (during a siege); holing up; confinement (to one's home); staying at home; staying indoors
staying in one's position or resigning; course of action; move
honest; incorruptible; integrity
to achieve; to win; to gain; to attain
stiffening; rigidity; rigor; stiffness; ossification; petrification
to carry weight; to be important; to have influence; to be a leading figure; to be esteemed
sole; single; solo; independence; singleness; singularity
reasonably; fairly; hurriedly; in a rush; approximately; about
between-season wear; spring and autumn clothing; together; condition; situation; -ish
to part (usu. of people); to part from; to separate (of a couple); to break up; to lose (e.g. one's mother); to be bereaved
preconception; preconceived notion; prejudice
difference; discrepancy; variation
stubbornly sticking to old ways; dislike of new things; narrow-mindedness
to express sudden recognition and being impressed; (lit.) to slap one's knee
tariff (import tax); duty; customs
to draw back; to sink; to be set back (e.g. from a road); to withdraw (e.g. from the public eye); to retire to (somewhere)
announcement; presentation; demonstration; displaying; showing; introducing
shorthand or stenographic notes
to be impressed; to greatly admire
perhaps; probably; generous; many; much
postponement; deferment; adjournment
absence; being away from home; house-sitting; house-sitter; being left unattended to (of one's studies, etc.); neglecting
to attach; to join; to furnish (a house with); to wear; to put on; to keep a diary; to make an entry
finishing discussion; closing a debate
dusk; nightfall; twilight
to aim at (with a weapon, etc.); to be after (something or someone); to have an eye on; to aim for; to set up as a goal