small salary; meagre salary; low pay
rate; ratio; comparatively; contrary to expectations
to poke (repeatedly, lightly); to nudge; to peck at (one's food); to pick at; to peck at (someone's faults, etc.); to egg on
to put a lot of effort (into); to take a strong interest (in); to put great emphasis (on); to show zeal (for)
easygoing; optimistic; conceited
way (of doing things); method; style; school (of ikebana, tea ceremony, etc.); style; system
evil; wickedness; (role of) the villain (in theatre, etc.); the bad guy
to spur on; to urge forward; to impel; to drive at high speed (e.g. a car)
older sister; elder sister
people; (all) persons; everyone; (arch.) you (usu. plural)
as you are aware; as you know
direct; immediate; personal; firsthand
to meet (someone of higher status); (arch.) to be recognized (esp. by someone of higher status); (arch.) to be visible; (arch.) to be seen
to sit for an examination
-like; sort of; similar to; resembling
hard to please; difficult; particular; bad-tempered; in a bad mood; displeased
slight; minor; trifling; considerable; proper; decent
busyness; a lot of things to do; frequent use; heavy use (of); many uses
comfort; ease; easy; simple; (economically) comfortable; raku pottery
since; for the past ... (e.g. ten years); this person; this gentleman
to shake; to sway; to rock; to become unstable; to become unsettled; to be shaken
taking into consideration; making allowances (for); reserve; restraint; leniency
not going (well); not proceeding (as one wishes); bad; not good; hopeless; beyond hope
to be convinced (that); to be under the impression (that); to make up one's mind; to set one's heart on; to be obsessed (with a thought, idea, etc.); to think about obsessively
lever; agent (causing something to happen); instrument; assistant; helper
that gentleman; that lady; he; she
talented person; clever person
in advance; beforehand; previously; ahead of time
victory or defeat; match; contest; game
to rebuke; to scold; to tell off; to question persistently (in order to criticize or find fault with someone)
tokonoma; alcove where art or flowers are displayed
duck; easy mark; sucker; sitting duck
basket (shopping, etc.); hamper; cage
to stuff into; to jam; to shorten; to move closer together; to reduce (spending); to conserve; to focus intently on
box; case; car (of a train, etc.); shamisen case; shamisen; public building; community building
book; document; calligraphy (esp. Chinese); penmanship; handwriting; letter