even at the best of times; already; (even) under normal circumstances; in addition to; as it is
to decrease (in size or number); to diminish; to abate
to be discouraged; to be disheartened
serving customers; looking after visitors; reception
sound effect for slurping back up excess saliva (e.g. as stimulated by desire for food)
the same generation; coeval
shop used for testing sales of new products; showroom; shop selling local specialities to Tokyo
local specialty or souvenir bought as a gift while travelling; present brought by a visitor; something unpleasant that one is given (e.g. an illness while on vacation); unwelcome gift
to bite at; to snap at; to jump at (e.g. an offer); to snap at; to hold on to; to cling to
assignment (of a person to somewhere); attachment (of a person to another unit, organization, etc.)
variation in color (colour); having a different color
to appoint; to nominate; to assume (responsibility); to pose as
red bean paste; red bean jam; filling (e.g. of a manjū); stuffing; padding
destination; whereabouts; future; prospects
place where one works; construction site; working area
factory; plant; mill; workshop
restaurant with only set meals
salty sea breeze; salt wind
buttocks; behind; undersurface; bottom; last place; end
to manage; to control; to cut carelessly (of a cook, surgeon, etc.); to slash about; (arch.) to cut around
new type; new style; new model; new strain (e.g. infectious disease)
elite; best; pick; cream of the crop
streamline shape; aerodynamic shape
to straddle; to sit astride; to mount; to extend over; to spread over; to span
to be lit (e.g. candle, lamp, light bulb); to be lighted; to be burning
student accommodation; student dormitory
to feel gloomy; to have doubts (e.g. about the future); to be at a loss (e.g. over what to do)
tuck (e.g. in a dress); rise (e.g. in price)
having said that; on the other hand
(short) run; drive; ride; spin
romance (e.g. Arthurian romances); heroic tale; (nigh) impossible dream; adventurous spirit; (full-length) novel; romance
to read thoroughly; to read repeatedly; to express (e.g. emotion in poetry); to read (extra meaning) into (something); to fetch (e.g. CPU inst.); to read (data into a system)
to be extremely sleepy; to be at the brink of falling asleep
miserable; wretched; unhappy; sad; pitiable
commonwealth; federation of states; confederation; union