to swear; to vow; to take an oath; to pledge
good thing; nice thing; good excuse; good grounds; interjection used to impress an idea or to urge a response
curiosity; inquisitiveness
fortitude; perseverance; stoicism; patience
standing close together; bristling (with)
cavern; cave; cave system; grotto
underground; below the ground; world of the dead; the grave; underground (activities, movement, etc.); secret
to glide; to slide (e.g. on skis); to fail (an examination); to bomb (when telling a joke); to drop; to go down
hut; cabin; small theatre (theater); temporary playhouse; one's own house
hesitation; indecision; vacillation
to throw open; to leave open
past middle age; nearing old age; near-elderly; age 40
big man; large man; tall man; giant
smooth; shiny; slippery; greasy; slurping (noodles)
to store; to save up; to accumulate (e.g. knowledge); to build up (e.g. experience); to grow (a beard, moustache, etc.); to wear
proof; evidence; certificate; license; to testify (usu. Christian religious context); enlightenment
to ask; to inquire; to blame (someone) for; to accuse of; to care about; to regard as important
classical form of martial art
preface; introduction; preamble
without; unacceptable; not alright; unsatisfactory
to be broken; to break; to fall through; to come to nothing
to fuss over; to be particular about; to be obsessive about; to be fixated on; to obstruct; to hinder
shuriken; small throwing blade; throwing star
neck; head; dismissal; discharge
from time immemorial; ancient; time-honoured; time-honored
highest peak; highest mountain; greatest authority; most prominent person; pinnacle (e.g. of art)
the point just before; the point of doing; the verge of happening
to master (a skill); proprietor; manager; leader; chief; master (of arts, science, etc.); master (recording)
one's own strength; one's own efforts; self-salvation
and; thereupon; because of that
concerning; regarding; per (e.g. 100 yen per person); for every
next (e.g. "next April"); forthcoming; coming; to come; to arrive; to be due to
insistent; obstinate; persistent; too rich (taste, etc.); fatty; heavy
to follow around; to shadow; to tag along; to haunt one (e.g. feeling, failure); to follow one
awkward; uncomfortable; embarrassing
tatami mat; Japanese straw floor coverings
zazen (seated Zen meditation, usu. in a cross-legged position)
resentment; grudge; malice; matter for regret; regret
to watch steadily; to stare