human affairs; mundane matters; personnel affairs; human resources; human power; human effort
inference; deduction; induction; reasoning
sharp-eared; have sharp ears; picks things up fast
to bite at; to snap at; to jump at (e.g. an offer); to snap at; to hold on to; to cling to
ignorant of the ways of the world
textbook; coursebook; schoolbook
the same generation; coeval
senior; older; third-year kindergarten student
assistant; adjunct; lieutenant
entirely; completely; cleanly; snugly
cannot help feeling that; cannot help thinking that
very interesting; of great interest
to have a talk; to tell a story
to be astonished; to be amazed; to be astounded; to be deeply impressed
poor households have many children
to be incomparable; to be completely different matters; to be completely different things
stunning; electrifying; striking; eye-popping; brilliant
rational; logical; coherent
to look around; to survey
malicious gossip; backbiting; speaking ill behind someone's back
to fall into disgrace with; to incur someone's displeasure
the strait gate (in the Bible); the narrow gate; high barrier (to enter a highly competitive school, company, etc.); difficult hurdle; difficulty
to narrow; to reduce; to contract
addressing (someone) without using a suffix such as "-san" or "-chan" (considered impolite)
refined; genteel; graceful; decent
passing (an exam); pass; success; meeting (specifications, standards, etc.); passing (inspection); qualification
suddenly; at once; considerably; very much; firmly; with an effort
lineage; pedigree; family line; birth
to emphasize; to attach importance to
to be descended from; to inherit (a disposition, etc.) from one's ancestors
embodiment; manifestation; materialization; materialisation; expression; indication
to injure; to damage; to kill; to hinder; to obstruct
does not seem; unlikely; improbable
small salary; meagre salary; low pay
stipend (paid to court officials, samurai, etc.); salary; fief; (arch.) gift (given as a reward); (arch.) token of appreciation
midwinter; cold season; coldest days of the year
gate; branch of learning based on the teachings of a single master; school; phylum; division; counter for cannons
inferiority complex; sense of inferiority
state capital; provincial capital; county town
to bear (a child); to be born; to produce; to yield; to be produced
to (happen to) see; to notice; to catch sight of