beginning of the year; new year; New Year's call; New Year's greetings
first business conducted by retailers in the New Year
so much; so often; oh, yes!; that's it; that's right; quite
number one; first; best; most; game; round
sukiyaki; thin slices of beef, cooked with various vegetables in a table-top cast-iron pan
materials; ingredients; material (for a novel, experiment, etc.); subject matter; grounds (for a decision, judgement, etc.); basis
to sell (well); to be well known; to be popular; to be famous
middle; midway; middle position; moderate position; interim; intermediary
point (of a story, argument, etc.); point (e.g. in stock exchange movement); percentage point; switch; points; point; site
challenge; defiance; dare; attempt; try
everyone; everybody; all; everything; all
How did you like ...?; How about ...?; What's going on?; How's it going?
safety; security; safely; without incident; good health; inaction
to arrive at (after a struggle); to finally reach; to find one's way to; to finally hit on (e.g. an idea)
yes?; no?; isn't it?; is it?
young child; toddler; child over 1 but not yet of school age
articles; supplies; parts
selling area; counter; section; favorable time to sell; good time to sell
milk powder; baby formula
sorry; excuse me; thank you
wonderful; marvelous; strange; strangely enough; oddly enough; for some reason
to hit; to strike; to strike (noon, etc.); to sound (cymbals, etc.); to beat (rhythmically, e.g. pulse, waves, etc.); to move; to impress
thank you; thanks; much (thanks); very (sorry); quite; really; somehow
to pay (e.g. money, bill); to brush off; to wipe away; to drive away (e.g. one's competitors); to sell off (something unneeded); to dispose of; to pay (e.g. attention)
store; shop; establishment; restaurant
tragedy; tragic drama; tragic play; tragedy; calamity; disaster
to begin; to start; to happen (again); to begin (anew); to date (from); to originate (in)
all of a sudden; suddenly; by chance; unexpectedly
in spite of; nevertheless; although; despite; no matter the; regardless of
residing; living; dwelling
Mr.; Mrs.; makes a word more polite (usu. in fixed expressions); state; situation
shade; shadow; behind (something); other side; background; behind the scenes
to make an appearance; to show up
water (esp. cool, fresh water, e.g. drinking water); fluid (esp. in an animal tissue); liquid; flood; floodwaters; water offered to wrestlers just prior to a bout
to draw near; to draw closer; to press (e.g. for an answer); to hound
question; inquiry; enquiry