north; the North; northern territories; North Korea; (arch.) north wind
rural area; countryside; the sticks; hometown
splendid; nice; sufficient; satisfactory; not needing (any more of something); (already) having enough
to often be the case; to occur frequently; to be common; to be popular
lie; fib; mistake; error; unwise move; bad decision
to be lucky; to be in luck; to be attached; to have; to be included
brow; glabella; middle forehead; area between the eyebrows
to wrinkle up (e.g. one's eyebrows, nose, etc.); to furrow; to crimple
now that you mention it; come to think of it; that reminds me; on that subject; speaking of which
for a long time; since long ago; always; already; far in advance (e.g. reservation)
I'm sorry; my apologies; excuse me; pardon me
one copy (of a book, magazine, etc.); one volume
book; volume; this; present; main; head; real
binding (of a book); design (of a book cover)
splendid; fine; praiseworthy; creditable; legal; legitimate
cover (of a book, magazine, etc.); binding; to appear on the cover of a magazine
to read and understand; to take in; to sense from external cues; to read (someone's) mind; to read (calibration, tape, etc.); to scan (bar code)
to become experienced (after many years of practice); to become worn (through long use); to show its age
to garnish; to accompany (as a card does a gift); to add to as support; to prop up; to accompany (as an aid, guide, translator, etc.); (arch.) to mimic
(wandering) minstrel; troubadour
adverse circumstances; unfortunate situation; adversity
to climb over; to get over; to overcome (a difficulty, obstacle, etc.); to surmount; to surpass (a predecessor); to overtake
setting sun; decline (e.g. of industry)
large country; major nation; great power; province of the highest rank (ritsuryō system)
to rescue (someone); to save; to help (out of a difficulty); to save (spiritually); to redeem (from sin); to deliver (from suffering, distress, etc.)
story; tale; narrative; account; fable; legend
above anything else; above all; more than anything; best; greatest; excellent
hero; heroine; Eroica Symphony (Beethoven, 1804); Heroic Polonaise (Chopin)
cannot (due to external circumstances); cannot afford to; must not; impossible to; no way one can (do)
to come to mind; to pop into one's head
expectation; anticipation; purpose; intention; others' opinions of one; speculation
if so; in that case; in that situation
overall victory; championship; winning the title; (being in) heaven; bliss; perfect contentment
as much as one can; as much as possible
to win through (e.g. to finals); to advance
to tell; to (try to) persuade; to advise; to warn; to admonish; to reason
hard; solid; stiff; tight; strong; firm (not viscous or easily moved); safe
to clasp; to grasp; to hold (the answer); to have (e.g. the solution); to seize (power); to hold (the reins)
to finish; to get through with; to graduate; to come to an end; to end; to finish doing ...
festival; feast; harassment by an Internet pitchfork mob; online shaming; galore (as in "goals galore"); frenzy