dinks (double-income, no kids); childless working couple
sunken kotatsu; low table over a hole in the floor (may have a heat source underneath and a hanging quilt to retain warmth)
built-in kitchen; integrated kitchen system
big chance; big opportunity
fellow men; between men; among men; man-to-man
to use (public property) for personal purposes; to use (e.g. politics) for one's own ends; to misappropriate (public money); (arch.) to act selfishly
land shark; land speculator
flower basket; flower basket (or plate) used for flower-scattering rituals
(security) deposit; caution money
by force of circumstance; in the circumstances; given the circumstances
special award; special prize
vast; huge; immense; malva nut (Sterculia lychnophora)
living together (with one more person)
belief; conviction; opinion
no matter what anyone says; regardless of what is said
main; principal; main dish; main course; main part; principal part
bugling (sound); honking; grumbling; complaining; car; automobile
to feel refreshed; to feel soothed
money (given as thanks); reward money; fee; key money; fee paid for rental rights
something or other; anything
no problem; no objection; it doesn't matter
cost of fuel and lighting; cost of heat and electricity; energy bill; utility cost
about when; about what time; how soon
official document; archives
X-ray; roentgen (unit of ionizing radiation)
I'm telling you this for your own good; here's some friendly advice
daruma; tumbling doll; Bodhidharma; prostitute
easily moved to tears; given to weeping; lachrymose
you're lying; yeah, right; liar; fibber
tidying up; clearing up; cleaning up; clearing away; putting in order
to prepare; to provide; to set up; to establish; to organize
fashion; fad; vogue; prevalence (e.g. of a disease)
to dam up; to hold back; to keep back; to stem (an activity); to check (e.g. progress)
the northeastern (unlucky) direction; person or thing to be avoided; (lit.) the demon's gate; weak point; Achilles' heel
to get flustered; to get flurried; to get agitated; to become impatient; to hurry