four characters; four letters
writing paper; stationery; notepaper
miserable; pitiable; shameful; deplorable; pathetic
to take in one's hand; to pick up; to obtain
bounce; spring; momentum; impetus; moment; instant
to surround; to encircle; to besiege; to lay siege to; to play (go, shogi, etc.)
blowing repeatedly (e.g. to cool something down); huffing and puffing; puffing and panting; struggling (with work, studies, etc.); having difficulty
udon; thick Japanese wheat noodles
to tighten; to stiffen; to brace; to strain
speck; dot; point; only a little; particle; only one
to harden; to solidify; to become firm; to become certain; to gather (together); to assemble
mochi; (sticky) rice cake
shh!; sh!; shush!; shoo!; go away!
direction; orientation; bearing; course (e.g. of action)
vague; obscure; indistinct; hazy; ambiguous
stealthy steps; soft steps
to collapse into; to flop onto
finely chopped fish or meat (sometimes seared first); mince; hitting (e.g. a drum); striking; bashing; criticizing
quick; swift; nimble; quick (understanding, judgement, etc.); alert; prompt
super-; ultra-; extremely; really; over; more than
to be unable to stand; to be weak in the knees; to be paralyzed (e.g. with fear) (paralysed); to be dumbfounded
unsteadily (walking); waddling; staggeringly; totteringly
to knead; to mix with fingers; to quibble; to argue for argument's sake
crawling on all fours; getting on one's hands and knees; falling flat
grain; bead; drop; counter for small round objects including grains, seeds, pills, drops
to bury; to embed; to implant
large-pupilled; dark-eyed; having large irises
to put out one's hand; to extend one's arm; to reach (for); to try one's hand at (something new)
to keep (a pet or other animal); to have; to own; to raise; to rear; to feed
(animal) feed; fodder; pet food; bait; lure; enticement
manner; demeanour; demeanor; bearing