tone (of voice); manner of talking
a long time (since the last time); first in a long time
was it?; I think it was ...; if I've got it right; (I, we) used to ...; I remember ...; it was ...
to grow up; to become an adult; to become big; to grow in size
carefree; comfortable; at ease; easygoing; happy-go-lucky
to become better; to improve
uneasily; restlessly; erratically
perhaps; possibly; by some chance; by some possibility
body; group; party; company; troupe
introduction; presentation; referral; listing
to see through (a plot, lie, etc.); to penetrate into; to discover; to find out
point worthy of note; highlight; high point; good prospects for the future; promise
smiling; beaming; radiant; bright; cheerful
to spring at; to leap upon; to swoop down on; to throw oneself upon (e.g. an enemy)
growth; development; one's early life; upbringing; personal history
to flush out (game, etc.); to drive (animals); to beat; to urge; to spur on; to push on
environment; circumstance
that is to say; so that means
to disdain; to look down on; to make light of; to hold in contempt; to scorn; to despise
natural; reasonable; obvious; usual; common; ordinary
specialization; specialisation
wild; growing wild; living in the wild; (arch.) I
art; technique; means; way; trick; trap
reason; principle; general principle (as opposed to individual concrete phenomenon); (in neo-Confucianism) the underlying principles of the cosmos
to blurt out; to let slip; to say inadvertently; to come out with (e.g. nonsense)
ageing; aging; senile deterioration
control; restraint; suppression; constraint; curtailment; inhibition
skill; dexterity; proficiency
to look young; to seem young
to often be the case; to occur frequently; to be common; to be popular
the eighties (age, years, etc.)
period; time; opportunity; chance; age; term (e.g. in office); session (e.g. of parliament)
activity (esp. energetic); great efforts; conspicuous service; to flourish; to participate actively; to play an active role
strong pressure; heavy pressure
still; much more; (not) yet; still a long way to go; still a long way off; not there yet
to praise; to commend; to compliment; to speak well of; to speak highly of