solemn (ceremony, atmosphere, etc.); austere; grave; majestic; dignified; stately
laying the groundwork; behind-the-scenes maneuvering; consensus-building process; digging around the roots of a tree (before transplanting)
receiving an official appointment; being appointed (to the post of)
thanks; gratitude; manners; etiquette; bow; reward; gift
(for) how many days; what day (of the month)
to be hot on a person's heels
to half-rise to one's feet
dainty; delicate; slender; fragile (e.g. furniture); delicate; frail
to assert; to declare; to list (one by one); to enumerate; to spread rumours (rumors); to go on and on (about)
control; check; restraint; inhibition
halfway; midway; partway; mid-course
total darkness; pitch dark; bleak future; poor prospects
to beg; to ask; to request; to invite
to soak into; to permeate
to fit; to get into; to be fit for (a job, etc.); to be suited for; to fall into; to plunge into
smelling of mold; musty; putrid; old-fashioned; stale; hackneyed
empty; void; vain; fruitless; lifeless
to use up all one's strength
to sit down (and refuse to move); to sit-in (in protest)
to coat a surface with something that adheres strongly when hardened (i.e. grout, plaster, lacquer); to cover up (e.g. truth); to varnish (e.g. with lies, rumors)
how long; how far; how much
joints; points (of a speech)
to stiffen; to become stiff
one's eyes; (pair of) eyes
whipping; beating with a whip; whiplash
immediately; at once; instantly
prison; jail; gaol; firm; solid; strong
to throw; to toss; to hit; to strike; to fire into (e.g. a crowd); to launch (e.g. missiles)
to come to nothing; to be in vain; to lead nowhere
duty; responsibility (incl. supervision of staff); liability; onus
one end; an end; part; fragment
day of month; counter for days
to disappear (of people or animals); to go (away); to leave; to no longer exist
reversal; return; return gift; return favour (favor); barb (on a fishing hook); mixture of soy sauce, sugar and mirin
under-shoulder swing-down; technique of grasping the arm of the opponent, the moment he comes forward, while stepping out of line and pushing down on the shoulder blade with the other hand, thus pulling him down; dodging; parrying (questions); disappointment; letdown
nori; laver; edible seaweed, usu. Porphyra yezoensis or P. tenera, usu. dried and pressed into sheets
release (from custody); discharge; liberation; setting free; letting go; letting off
present condition; existing state; status quo; current state