irony; sarcasm; unexpected; different from what one expected; (only) surface; something superficial
to compare; to make a comparison; to compete; to vie
worldly wise; sophisticated; street smart; knowledge of the world (acquired in the school of hard knocks); toughness
world; society; people; the public
practice; practising; experience
head (of a household, etc.); leader; owner; proprietor; subject (of a rumour, etc.); doer (of a deed); guardian spirit (e.g. long-resident beast, usu. with mystical powers)
may; might; perhaps; may be; possibly
certain; sure; doubtless; I have no doubt; You can depend on it; It's a safe bet
to have a meal; to take a meal
pout; displeasure; ill humor; ill humour; sullenness
luxury; extravagance; treat (i.e. at somebody's expense)
at the most; at best; to the utmost; as much as possible; as much as one can
order (for an item); request; demand; condition
tone (of voice); manner of talking
purveyor (to the Imperial Household, etc.); company (or restaurant, place, etc.) that caters to or is popular with a specific clientele
to crunch; to masticate; to simplify; to explain plainly
(political) power; authority; influence
grasping; seizing; holding; commanding; having control over
danger; peril; hazard; risk
import; importation; introduction; afferent
to request; to beg; to call; to order; to entrust to; to rely on
lifeline; safety rope; safety tether
famine; crop failure; chronic shortage (e.g. of water)
food; foodstuff; prey; victim
to clasp; to grasp; to hold (the answer); to have (e.g. the solution); to seize (power); to hold (the reins)
opposition; rivalry; competition; antagonism
people; citizens; subjects; folk
to feel awkward; to feel ashamed; to feel inferior; to feel shy (about doing something)
connection; link; relationship
link (e.g. in a chain of events); part (of a plan, campaign, activities, etc.); monocyclic
marriage of convenience; marriage for political reasons
interference; meddling; butting in
pish; pooh; I see; oh; indeed
proud; having a prominent nose
(not) in any way; in no way; at all; terribly; awfully; hopelessly
gradually; by degrees; little by little; steps; stairs; staircase
pillar; post; support; prop; counter for buddhas, gods, nobles, etc.
to consist of; to be made up of; to be concluded (e.g. of an agreement); to hold true (e.g. of a theory); to be viable (of a business, lifestyle, etc.); to carry on
king; ruler; tycoon; magnate; king (of the senior player)
fortune-telling; divination
final decision; ultimate decision; official decision; finalizing; last word (on or about something); final word
state of things; state of affairs; condition; situation; circumstances