long time; several hours; long spell
prototype model; experimental machine
unfavourable comparison; unfavorable comparison
evident; plain; distinct; clear
asking for the moon; asking for the impossible; asking for too much; thinking the grass is greener on the other side of the fence
to mediate; to intervene; to smooth
astonished; shocked; amazed; astounded; aghast
discouraged; dispirited; despondent
to puzzle over; to think deeply about; to rack one's brains over (wrack)
completely; absolutely; (not) at all; (not) a bit; earnestly; intently
soft sound; dampening (of sound)
to spoil; to ruin; to destroy; to make a mess of
bitter smile; wry smile; forced smile; strained laugh
passing the winter; hibernation
to whine; to make feeble complaints
no sleep or rest; working day and night
ball; sphere; bead (of sweat, dew, etc.); drop; ball (in sports); pitch (e.g. in baseball); pile (of noodles, etc.)
cutting in round slices; round slice; dividing into groups (e.g. by ability)
with intense concentration; eagerly; intently; devouringly
restoration; repair; mending
to exchange; to swap; to barter; to replace; to substitute
remarkable; striking; obvious
trial product; prototype model
lifespan; life; lifetime; life (of a battery, lightbulb, etc.); service life; end of an object's (useful) life
celestial sphere; the heavens
ruggedly; jaggedly; stiffly; choppy (e.g. graphics); lagged; clunky
example; illustration; precedent
preconception; preconceived notion; prejudice
implicitly; indirectly; tacitly; by implication; obscurely
claim; insistence; assertion; advocacy; emphasis; contention
stand-offish; distant; not frank; watery (alcohol, coffee, etc.)
next time it will be me who needs your help; when times are tough, we should help each other; we are all in this together
summertime; summer season
sacrifice; victim (esp. someone killed); casualty; sacrifice (to a deity)
Pisces (constellation); the Fish; the Fishes; (arch.) fishmongers' guild
to turn; to rotate; to go around; to circle; to make the rounds (of); to go around (several places); to go by way of
corpse; kanji "corpse" radical