noisy; loud; much talked of; much-discussed; strict; severe
to pretend not to see; to turn one's back on
prejudice; bias; distorted view
intentionally; deliberately; designedly; especially; particularly
merchant; store; shop; merchant house; merchant family
eldest daughter; first-born daughter
first of all; to begin with; probably; most likely; more or less (satisfactory); on the whole
business rival; professional jealousy
opposition; resistance; antagonism; reverse; opposite; inverse
a matter of course; what is to be expected; par for the course
listen!; you see; mind you; remember
something or other; one thing or another; this or that
beginning; start; outset; at first; at the beginning; initially
achievement; attainment; accomplishment; realization
first meeting; first interview with
unrelated; irrelevant; unconcerned; unconnected
personal; individual; private
to tear up and throw away
early; a little earlier than usual; a little faster than usual; slightly quicker
to be the first to speak; to break the silence; to open something for the first time; to broach (e.g. a cask); to break a seal
character (esp. kanji); letter; handwriting; penmanship; the ... word (e.g. "the L word" = "love")
matter; thing; affair; circumstance
to shiver; to shake; to quake; to tremble; to quaver; to quiver
disorder; chaos; confusion; mayhem
to take away; to carry off
stern expression; severe expression; grim expression
intention; idea; inclination; wish
consent; approval; acceptance; agreement; compliance
end; conclusion; last; final; no sooner than; once
secrecy; confidentiality; privacy; one's circumstances (esp. fiscal)
marriage proposal; marriage talks
as is; as it is; as things are; like this; this way; at this rate
what's the best thing to do?; what to do?
growing light (e.g. at dawn); pale; appearing dumb; talking in an obvious way
to rain incessantly; to downpour
bet; wager; stake; gamble