writing implement; writing tool
improvement (e.g. in skill, ability); advance; progress; communication of opinions of the general populace to those of high rank
university graduate; having graduated from university
tip-top; top; top-drawer; best; foremost; elite
alumni association; graduates' association; alumni meeting; class reunion
success in life; getting ahead; successful career; promotion; climbing the corporate ladder; eminence
arriving at the present; present-day; to arrive at the present day
common sense; good sense; common knowledge; general knowledge; common practice; accepted practice
plausible; believable; solemn; dignified; serious
third time lucky; third time's the charm
unbecoming; improper; unsuitable; ill-matched; unworthy of
to wipe; to mop up; to get rid of (an impression, feeling, blemish, etc.); to dispel (e.g. shame); to erase
oh well, fine; fine, I guess; alright, I suppose; OK, then
dumbfounded; in mute amazement
to be perturbed; to be agitated
second marriage; remarriage
instant; moment; (split) second; (in a) flash; (in the) blink of an eye
what is it (that); the meaning of something; what something is about
to declare; to assert; to state definitively; to finish saying; to say it all; to finish one's sentence
to become familiar with; to fit in; to adapt oneself; to get used to; to grow accustomed to
(a) little; (a) few; slight; only; just; merely
to be full of (e.g. adventure, youth, energy); to be overflowing with
right to choose; a say; option
speaking of ...; when it comes to ...; as for ...; if one were to say ...
to live; to reside; to inhabit
to exchange (messages, greetings, arguments, etc.); to intersect; to cross; ... with one another; ... to each other
to pile up; to make a heap; to lay (e.g. bricks); to acquire (e.g. experience); to build (a reputation)
clumsy; awkward; tactless; awkward (e.g. socially); (arch.) mean; (arch.) cowardly
if it is the case that ...
parting; separation; farewell
January; first month of the lunar calendar
visit to a shrine or temple; paying homage at a shrine or temple
recommendation; referral; endorsement
but I suppose; it seems; probably; I guess
entrance examination for selected candidates (who have been recommended to the university)
rice and curry; curry rice
osechi; food eaten during the New Year's Holidays
rice cakes; pounded mochi rice
umeboshi; pickled dried ume; pickled dried plum
first shrine visit of New Year
God; god; ace; king; superior person
to swell; to expand; to inflate; to bulge
ulterior motive; plot; scheme; complicated circumstances; intricacies