now (while the time is ripe); while one still can
tide; current; sea water; opportunity; chance; thin soup of fish or shellfish boiled in seawater
preference; priority; precedence
to listen carefully; to strain one's ears
I've heard that ...; rumour has it that ...; it appears as if ...
to explain away (a mistake, failure, etc.); to make excuses for; to gloss over; to talk one's way out of
detour; diversion; alternative route
straight (ahead); direct; upright; straightforward; honest; frank
to meet fortuitously (e.g. running into an old friend); to meet by chance; to happen across
separate; scattered; apart
getting closer; drawing nearer; being not much different; being near (age, skill, etc.); becoming close (i.e. friendly); becoming intimate
to spur on; to urge forward; to impel; to drive at high speed (e.g. a car)
head; lead; vanguard; first
looking away; looking aside
distorted; crooked; oval; elliptical shape; round, wooden container for cooked rice; oval coin
to make good; to improve; to do often; to be kind to; to treat well
to exchange (messages, thoughts, etc.); to communicate
(a) grain; (a) drop; (a) bead
bad; poor; inferior; delinquent; hoodlum; hooligan
washing; laundry; relaxing; taking a break
trivial; not amounting to much
many; much; plenty; hardly
trace; tracks; site; remains; scar
favour; favor; obligation; debt of gratitude
requital of a favour (favor); repayment (of an obligation, kindness, etc.)
to turn away; to bear off; to veer away; to deviate (e.g. of a conversation); to digress; to go astray
originally; essentially; naturally; in the first place; to begin with
absolutely; unconditionally; never (with neg. verb)
soggy; soaked; crushed (out of shape); crumpled; messy; untidy
freely; frankly; without reserve
to be evident; to be obvious; to understand completely
chilly; unpleasantly cold
to boast of; to be proud of; to take pride in
silly; foolish; absurd; childish; easy; trifling
daily routine; daily work; daily lesson
onigiri; rice ball (often triangular, sometimes with a filling and wrapped in nori)
deep-fried food (esp. chicken)