or rather (say); or better (say); or perhaps I should say; or, how should I put it,...; I mean
incredible; unbelievable; terrific; impressive
to knead; to thicken into a paste (stirring over a flame); to polish (a plan, etc.); to refine; to train; to drill; to gloss (silk)
guardian; protector; patron; parent
to make an appearance; to show up
top brass; upper echelon; higher-ups; top management; upper reaches; top of the pile
to disagree; to dispute; to fight (over)
cigarette end; cigarette butt; tobacco ashes
expert; learned person; doctor; PhD; instructor at the imperial court (ritsuryo period); pitch and length marks (to accompany a Buddhist liturgical chant, etc.)
(how) many times; (how) often
slight bow (as a greeting or sign of gratitude); nod; salutation; consideration; thoughtfulness
to say; to be called; to do
to work (for); to be employed (at); to serve (as); to act (as); to conduct a religious service
fate; chance; relationship; tie
to take a long hard look at; to look (someone) full in the face
a little while later; for a little while; some time later; for some time; presently
white clothes; white robe; white gown (worn by doctors, chemists, etc.); commoner without rank (in ancient China); layperson
strategy; stratagem; trick; scheme; plot
(abstract) symbol; emblem; representation
honour; honor; glory; privilege
long (time that has passed); old (story)
important person; influential figure; big shot; big thing; big one; big game
orbit; trajectory; railroad track; (right) track; proper course
highest rank; highest position; high-end; highest-order; most-significant (e.g. bit)
recovery; rescue; recapture
beginning; start; outset; at first; at the beginning; initially
to check; to hold back; to keep at bay; to stop; to prevent; to stem
at this juncture; after all this time; at this stage; now
hopeless; futile; no use; beyond help; cannot be done
rather; sooner; preferably
bumping of heads; running into; coming across; encountering
skirmish; brush (with the enemy); small fight with a military enemy; squabble; quarrel; brief argument
to earn (income); to make (money); to score (points, victory); to gain (time); to work hard (at one's job); to labor
to mind; to care about; to be an issue; to matter; to keep company; to care for; to interfere with
to vacate; to surrender (e.g. a castle); to give up (e.g. a position); to hand over (e.g. power)
resistance; opposition; reluctance; repulsion; resistance; drag
doing; in such a state; doing together; doing to each other; familiarizing suffix (sometimes meaning "small")