the expectation is that ...; the reason is that ...; the fact is that ...; the explanation is that ...; it is that ...
as it is; as one likes; because; condition; state
tune; tone; vein; mood; condition; state of health
how; in what way; how about
recently; lately; these days; nearest; closest
lively; full of spirit; energetic; healthy; well; fit
-like; sort of; similar to; resembling
coolness; calmness; composure; all right; fine; OK
room; chamber; apartment; flat; stable
to come along; to come around; to turn up; to arrive at the present; to get where one is; to have been doing something (for a period of time)
is that so? (generally rhetorical)
immediately; at once; soon; before long; easily; readily
bitter smile; wry smile; strained laugh; sarcastic laugh
together with; as X, then Y (e.g. as we age we gain wisdom, as wine matures it becomes more valuable, etc.)
sound of footsteps; sense or sign that something is approaching
to go away; to become more distant; to fade away; to be estranged
here; this place; this point; here; these past ... (e.g. three years); these last ...
to; for; in order to; for; as for; regarding
incomplete understanding; doubt; question; distrust; suspicion; strangeness
to meet; to encounter; to see; to have an accident; to have a bad experience
time (three times, each time, etc.); times
to look away; to avert one's eyes
the front; honesty; uprightness; decency; normality
to be able (in a position) to do; to be up to the task; to be ready; to be completed; to be made; to be built; to be good at
to be (of animate objects); to exist; to stay; to be ...-ing; to have been ...-ing
natural; right; proper; naturally; as a matter of course; rightly
seems; I think; I guess; don't you agree?; I thought you'd say that!
at hand; on hand; way of moving one's arms; skill; money at hand; pocket money
historical document; archives; old manuscript; pre-Meiji era document addressed to someone in particular
until now; so far; up to the present
recognition; awareness; perception; understanding; knowledge; cognition
big; large; loud; extensive; spacious; important
to overturn; to capsize; to overthrow (government etc.); to reverse (decision etc.); to disprove (an established theory etc.)
contents; content; substance; matter; detail; import
to write; to compose; to pen; to draw; to paint
historic ruins (remains, relics); archeological site
(one's) master; Lord; the main thing; the majority
same; identical; equal; anyway; anyhow; in either case
name; given name; title; fame; renown; pretext
to mince; to cut fine; to carve; to engrave; to tick away (time); to beat out (e.g. rhythm); to etch (into one's mind)