indicates sentence topic; indicates contrast with another option (stated or unstated); adds emphasis
towards; against; regarding; in contrast with
image (in one's mind); impression; (computer) image; depiction (e.g. of a product); rendition
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.
honorific/polite/humble prefix
to hold (in one's hand); to take; to possess; to have; to maintain; to keep; to last
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
high; tall; expensive; high-priced; high (level); above average (in degree, quality, etc.)
at (place, time); in; to (direction, state); toward; for (purpose); because of (reason); for
to surround; to encircle; to besiege; to lay siege to; to play (go, shogi, etc.)
(not) well; (not) properly; (not) enough; (not) sufficiently; (not) satisfactorily; (not) decently
too; also; both A and B; A as well as B; even; as much as
nonexistent; not being (there); unowned; not had; unique; not; impossible
place; location; room; space; basho; wrestling tournament
at; in; at; when; by; with; and then
to connect; to link together; to tie; to fasten; to maintain; to preserve
indicates sentence subject (occasionally object); indicates possessive (esp. in literary expressions); but; however; regardless of; whether (or not)
severe; strict; hard (to do); difficult; intense (e.g. cold); harsh (weather)
bound hand and foot; hedged in (e.g. by restrictions); immobile
such; that sort of; that kind of; no way!; never!
to be (in contrast to something that is not the case)
indicates a question; or; whether or not; some- (e.g. something, someone); hmm; huh; very
unthinkable; unexpected; absolutely not!; far from it!; (it was) no bother at all; not at all
that's the way it is; such is life
old; aged; long; since long ago; of the distant past; long-ago
the expectation is that ...; the reason is that ...; the fact is that ...; the explanation is that ...; it is that ...
to aim at (for, to do, to become); to try for; to have an eye on; to go toward; to head for
present age; present day; today; modern era; modern times
woman; female; feminine gender
above anything else; above all; more than anything; best; greatest; excellent
protection; safeguard; guardianship; preservation; conservation
this; last (couple of years, etc.); these; you (as in "you liar")
basic principle; fundamental principle
subject; theme; homework; assignment; task; challenge
if; when; and; with; used for quoting (thoughts, speech, etc.); promoted pawn; indicates a question