to lead; to direct; to take command
longish; moderately long; somewhat long; fairly long
stunning; electrifying; striking; eye-popping; brilliant
cheongsam; qipao; mandarin dress
Western clothing; Western binding
to defend oneself; to protect oneself
shutting tightly; making airtight; sealing hermetically
best; extra-fine; superfine; exceptionally; extraordinarily; by far
to come in (of light); to shine in; to stream in; to pour in
flickering; flashing on and off; glaringly (bright); painfully (bright); prickling (pain)
tea house; wayside tea stall; coffee shop; kissaten
dress circle (of a theatre); (first) balcony; box; stands (seating for spectators)
(afternoon) nap; sleeping during the day; siesta
(sudden) complete reversal (of plot); unexpected twist (at end of story); rotating stage machinery, which rolls backwards 90 degrees to reveal the next scene
direction of travel; direction of movement
possession; occupation; occupancy
to ask (about); to inquire; to enquire; to question; to make sure of
(work) hard; unceasingly; strenuously; assiduously; busily; ardently
lineage; pedigree; family line
maternal relative; relative on one's mother's side
valuable; high-priced; precious; monetary value; price
partition between two rooms; room divider; partition wall
in the end; on top of that
best; extra-fine; exceptionally; extraordinarily; jumping and slashing (e.g. at an enemy)
greedy; avaricious; covetous; raga (desire)
to meet; to assemble; to congregate
to cramp up; to tighten; to be insistent; to persist (in one's opinion); to act tough; to bluff; to prop up (e.g. with a post)
look who's talking; you're one to talk; you can talk
to just appear; to be half out; to be on the tip of one's tongue
the top (e.g. top ten); the best
to call each other's names
to wear (formal clothing) in a casual fashion