existence or nonexistence; presence or absence; consent or refusal; yes or no
evasion; excuse; subterfuge; runaround
to lick; to lap; to taste; to experience (esp. a hardship); to look down on (someone); to make fun of
charge (e.g. admission, menu item); cost; price
serving customers; looking after visitors; reception
waitress (in a ryokan or traditional restaurant); hostess
celebration; celebratory event; congratulatory gift; tip; gratuity
homely woman (esp. one with a small low nose, high flat forehead, and bulging cheeks); plain woman; soba in soup with slices of boiled fish paste, shiitake mushrooms, greens, seaweed, etc.
to say; to speak; to tell; to talk
to arrive at (after a struggle); to finally reach; to find one's way to; to finally hit on (e.g. an idea)
before or since; neither before nor after; no other time in one's life; stressing a particular moment or event as being unique or most extreme
what did you just say (to me)?; what's that?
to not believe one's ears
how (beautiful, etc.); what a ...; nothing worth mentioning; nothing special; of what name
excuse me; pardon me; I'm sorry; thank you
to ask; to inquire; to implore (a god for an oracle); to seek direction (from your superior); to visit; to speak to (a large crowd at a theatre, etc.)
to call out to; to hail; to address; to appeal
no sooner than; as soon as; immediately after; at the thought of; when I think about
exceedingly; extremely; exceptionally; unexpectedly
uncertain; vague; ambiguous
hesitation; hindrance; washroom
to empty; to vacate; to evacuate
gazing steadily at; observing (a person) closely; maintain a watch over
to believe; to believe in; to place trust in; to confide in; to have faith in
since long ago; already; for quite a while; for some time now
extent to which (something) is true or false; whether or not (something) is true
same room; sharing a room; occupying the same room
to cut into (a conversation); to interject
(stand to) attention!; standing at attention
event; festivities; function; social gathering; auspices; opening
lingering (usu. feeling, emotion, etc.); continuing (to); still (...)
to join (hands); to take (each other's hands); to scramble for; to struggle for; to pay attention to; to take notice of
aim; object; expectations; prospects; something that can be relied upon; snack served with alcoholic drink; pad
small room; closet; cubicle; booth; stall
obstacle; hindrance; impediment; difficulty
(metropolitan) prefecture (of Osaka and Kyoto); the centre or seat (of) (center); (government) office; fu; historical administrative unit in China, Korea and Vietnam
to burn into one's memory; to sear an image
to carry on one's shoulder; to shoulder; to bear; to bear (burden, responsibility, etc.); to take upon oneself
mission; errand; task; duty; obligation
to be contrary to one's expectations