faint; dim; weak; poor; wretched; meagre
to half-rise to one's feet
negligence; carelessness; inattention; unpreparedness
surroundings; environs; circumference
vigilance; caution; alertness; precaution; being on guard
lightning strike; lightning bolt
so; like this; in this way; this much; to this extent
to clear up; to clear away; to refresh (e.g. spirits); to be cleared (e.g. of a suspicion); to be dispelled; to be banished
to listen repeatedly; to listen again; to ask a question in return; to ask again; to ask for a repeated explanation
silence (not speaking); muteness
shadow; silhouette; reflection; image; ominous sign; light (stars, moon); trace
southern country; southern provinces; southern lands
characteristic (of); peculiar (to)
sign; indication; omen; symptom
to surround; to encircle; to enclose; to fawn over (someone); to play up to; to curry favor with
air; atmosphere; mood; situation; someone with no presence; someone who doesn't stand out at all
strange; odd; peculiar; queer; curious
uncomfortable feeling; feeling out of place; sense of discomfort; malaise; physical unease
since; henceforth; ever since
for the first time; only after ... is it ...; only when ... do you ...; first time; (one's) first
(practical) experience; personal experience; hands-on experience; first-hand experience
sense; sensation; feeling; intuition
before long; soon; almost; nearly; finally; in the end
movement; move; motion; trend; development; change
pointed end; tip; point; forefront; vanguard; spearhead
to get used to seeing; to become accustomed to seeing; to be familiar with
person; someone; human beings; mankind; human (Homo sapiens); (other) people; others
eh?; what?; yes; that's correct; used for soft emphasis or to soften a statement or request; (arch.) strengthens a question, assertion, etc.
unexpected; contrary to expectations; by chance; casual
language; dialect; word; phrase; speech; (manner of) speaking
(looking) blankly; vacantly; dazedly; (staring) in puzzlement; with a look of amazement
to twinkle (e.g. stars); to flicker; to waver; to blink (one's eyes); to wink; to bat
charcoal; charred remains
to scrape out; to rake out (e.g. ashes); to bail out (e.g. water)
to take in one's hand; to pick up; to obtain
once; before; formerly; never yet; never before; first time
favorite; favourite; habitually used
Japanese sword (usu. single-edged and curved); Japanese bladed weapon
to compare; to make a comparison (between); to compete (on); to measure (one's strength, ability, etc. against another's)
unreliable; undependable; helpless; forlorn; worried; uneasy
weapon; arms; ordnance; weapon (something used to gain an advantage); asset
threat; intimidation; menace
role; assignment; position (of responsibility); post; part (in a play, film, etc.); role
intruder; invader; trespasser; raider
where; what place; how much (long, far); what extent
how; in what way; by what means