aging society; ageing society
contract marriage; marriage by contract
with humility (esp. of women in relation to their partner); humbly; (lit.) three steps behind
housewife demographic; housewives
not quite (right); not very good; somewhat (lacking)
couple who only go through the motions of being husband and wife
seven; seven years of age; four o'clock (old time system)
special lecturer; guest lecturer
competitive entrance examinations for prestigious kindergartens and elementary schools
this one; this way; this method
failure; rejection; rupture
male domination of women; male chauvinism; subjection of women
to pull in; to take for oneself; to tuck up (one's sleeves)
(for the taste of something) to become apparent; (for someone's character) to come out
bowing while pressing three fingers of each hand on floor
waist (the part of the pants located above the crotch); pant rise
(pressing) hard; badgeringly; pesteringly; repeatedly; urgingly
to get back together (with a former partner)
to jump on someone's (verbal) mistake; to trip someone up; to find fault with something someone says
dead language; extinct language; obsolete word; word that has become passé
bent back; prone posture; weak-kneed; timidity; lack of nerve
amorous glance; leer; shade (of color); tint; ingratiation; sycophancy
clearing one's throat; cough
to tie; to fasten; to hitch; to secure (trust, patronage of customers, etc.); to keep (an employee, someone's interest, etc.); to save (someone's life)
playing dead; feigning death; playing possum
to talk of one's dreams (esp. unrealistic, far-fetched ones); to dream out loud
critic; reviewer; commentator
to make good; to improve; to do often; to be kind to; to treat well
in the mountains; within the grounds of a temple
(it won't be possible) on such short notice
to go uninvited; to call on without an invitation; to barge in on; to throng to; to crowd into; to converge upon