bad debt; nonperforming loan
about the same; about equal to; close match
dark; gloomy; depressed; dispirited; dark (in colour); dull; ill-boding
honor student; honours student; model student; prize pupil
bulky and heavy; massive; solid; dignified; imposing; composed
stagnation; hindrance; delay
not hard to... (in certain circumstances, it would be possible)
this and that; various things
largest class; top category
amusement; entertainment; recreation; pleasure; pastime; hobby
center; centre; metropolis
to be erected; to be built
older sister and younger brother
sharing a room; dormitory room; match between wrestlers from the same stable
thrift; economy; frugality
as much as one can; as much as possible; if at all possible
thump-thump; bang-bang; pit-a-pat; to beat fast (of one's heart); to throb; to pound
behavior; behaviour; manner; attitude; bearing
racing (of an engine); spinning one's wheels; running idle; fruitless effort; going nowhere; going round in circles
seeing eye to eye; reaching an agreement; coinciding in opinion
good thing; nice thing; good excuse; good grounds; interjection used to impress an idea or to urge a response
mild; calm; gentle; quiet; congenial; amicable
day after tomorrow; wrong (e.g. direction)
indication; sign; hint; tone (of the market)
to abuse (verbally); to curse at; to shout abuse at; to speak ill of
hatred; abhorrence; loathing; detestation
sum; harmony; peace; Japan; Japanese-style
Occident and Orient (esp. the Occident); ocean; sea; foreign; Western
natural (physical) environment
hard-liners; diehards; hawks
just before one's eyes; in one's presence; personally
to cross the ocean (i.e. to go to or come from overseas)
it's different when ... but; it's not so bad when ... but
self-; from ...; this ... (in contrast to some other ...); aforementioned
convenient; favorable; favourable; expedient; expedience
defense; defence; protection
half-cooked; vague; halfhearted; indecisive
language learning ability; foreign language skills; linguistic ability
to raise an objection; to voice an opinion different from those of others
though imperfect; somehow; somehow or other