sparse; thin; scattered; straggling; sporadic
regrettable; disappointing; precious; dear; too good for; deserving better
prefecture (Japan); county (China, Taiwan, Norway, etc.); department (France); province (Italy, Spain, etc.)
breaking through; breakthrough; surmounting; overcoming; exceeding; passing
holding (a conference, exhibition, etc.); opening; hosting (e.g. the Olympics)
war; battle; match; game; competition
defeat; loss; failing to live up to (one's name, looks, etc.); discount; loss (on a sale)
close contest; close match; close game; close combat
before oneself; in front of one; a bit before reaching (a location); this side (of a location); one's standpoint; one's appearance; skill
day in question; appointed day; that very day; the day (of issue, publication, etc.)
assembly hall; meeting place; venue; grounds
to go; to come; to turn out (at a meeting, event, etc.); to show up; to make your way to
watching a (sports) game; spectating; observing (military operations)
victory; triumph; conquest; success; win
(Platonic) ideal (of how things ought to be, e.g. human rights); foundational principle; idea; conception (e.g. of the university); doctrine; ideology
crystal; crystallization; crystallisation; fruits (of labor, union, etc.)
wonderful; splendid; magnificent
disadvantage; handicap; unfavorable position
to cut corners; to be shoddy
the problem (at issue); the point at issue; problematic issue; problem
betterment; improvement; kaizen (Japanese business philosophy of continuous improvement)
offer; tender; providing; sponsoring (a TV program)
idea; conception; way of thinking; approach; expression
greed; craving; desire; appetite; hunger; avarice
entering; setting (of the Sun); containing; content; income; beginning
good thing; nice thing; good excuse; good grounds; interjection used to impress an idea or to urge a response
to be renewed; to change; to be improved; to be reformed; to stand on ceremony; to be formal
one long cylindrical thing; one film, TV show, etc.; one version; one book; a certain book; ippon; one point
together with; as X, then Y (e.g. as we age we gain wisdom, as wine matures it becomes more valuable, etc.)
last spurt; final spurt; home stretch
swift attack; quick attack; fast break; right away; without delay; immediately
way; method; means; resource; course
habit; (social) custom; practice; convention
to feel more like (a certain mood)
trial of strength; test of one's strength (stamina)
clear weather; cloudless weather; good weather