novel; original; new; innovative
to look back on (the past); to reflect on; to look behind (at); to turn round (and look); to consider; to concern oneself about
(attitude of) being ready to take on a challenge; can-do spirit
to admire greatly; to salute (in admiration); to take one's hat off to
gently; mildly; leniently; don't be too hard on me (us, them); go easy on me
it is I who should say so
losers (those who have 'failed' socially, economically, etc.)
well-matched (esp. of a couple); becoming; suitable
starting pistol; starter pistol
to sound; to ring; to resound; to echo; to roar; to rumble
practice; putting into practice; implementation; praxis (philosophy)
end (e.g. of a line); tail end; rear; backmost part
I see; that's right; indeed
even if; even though; even; too; whether ... or ...; no matter (what, where, who, etc.)
because ...; for ...; the reason being ...; as for ...; when it comes to ...; regarding ...
head; lead; vanguard; first
fast; quick; early (in the day, etc.); premature; (too) soon; not yet
the Five Lakes of Mt. Fuji
one more; another; the other; not quite; not very good
point; tip; head (of a line); front; first; before; (the way) ahead
to hand over; to transfer; to give up (e.g. one's seat); to give way; to yield; to concede
revenge; making a new attempt where one previously failed; determination of a loser to win the next time
just like that; quite so; I agree; (lit.) that street
knowing; (an) acquaintance
embarrassing; embarrassed; ashamed; disgraceful; shameful
the other day; a few days ago
how long; how much; to what extent
important; significant; precious; valuable; careful
circumference; girth; surroundings; neighbourhood; people surrounding oneself; surrounding circumstances
to come alive; to get going; to start to move
as expected; sure enough; after all (is said and done); in the end; too; also
blank; blank space; gap; time spent not doing something (e.g. working, practicing)
to curse; to cast a spell; to haunt; to cause a bad result; to bring about a negative outcome
remnant; residue; remaining; left-over
Zhou dynasty (China, approx. 1046-256 BCE); Chou dynasty; perimeter; counter for laps or circuits
to catch; to capture; to catch hold of (someone); to stop (e.g. a stranger in the street); towards (someone); at (someone)
severe; strict; hard (to do); difficult; intense (e.g. cold); harsh (weather)
stand; rack; support; holder; counter for machines, incl. vehicles; setting (e.g. in jewellery); level (e.g. price level)
influential; prominent; strong; likely; plausible