precarious situation; precarious state
soon; shortly; nearly; almost
end; tip; extremities; terminal
bright light; hope; bright future; light emanating from a buddha or bodhisattva, symbolizing their wisdom and compassion
society; the world; the times
to stop; to quit; to put an end to
to make sure of; to assure oneself of; to see with one's own eyes; to ascertain
to paw (at) the ground; to struggle (using one's arms and legs); to flounder; to struggle (to escape an adverse situation); to strive
middle way; (golden) mean; moderation; the Doctrine of the Mean (one of the Four Books)
to encourage; to cheer; to raise (the voice)
older sister; elder sister; young lady; miss; ma'am; older girl
autumn breeze; fall breeze
to decorate; to ornament; to display; to exhibit; to mark (e.g. the day with a victory); to adorn (e.g. the front page)
noisily (e.g. from many people talking); creating a commotion; rustling (leaves); feeling a chill; getting the chills
quiet and subdued in appearance; solemn; sad and depressed in manner; soft; gentle
to lessen; to decrease; to diminish
madder red; dark red; crimson
indescribable; exquisite; inexpressible; indefinable
national language; Japanese language (often as a school subject in Japan); native Japanese words (as opposed to loanwords)
uncertainty; transiency; impermanence; mutability
to blend (e.g. truth and lies); to mix together (e.g. kanji and kana)
ideal situation; ideal world; perfect world; utopia
face; looks; vestiges; trace
to name; to call; to christen; to term
to run about; to rush about
(arch.) word; waka (classic Japanese poem, esp. a tanka)
to be torn off; to come off; to be torn to pieces; to be torn to shreds
reflection in a mirror; reflected image; inverse (of a point); mirror image
admirable; commendable; praiseworthy; laudable; brave; heroic
to make good; to improve; to do often; to be kind to; to treat well
mankind; the human creature; fellow creatures
standing on tiptoe and stretching one's back to make oneself taller; stretching oneself; overreaching oneself; overstretching oneself; trying to do something beyond one's ability
(way of) life; living; livelihood; life circumstances
outsider's perspective; as seen by an observer
dancing or jumping for joy
lodger who pays nothing for room and board; freeloader; sponger
pattern; figure; state; condition; conjecture of the current situation; the way it seems; model
cheerful; jovial; weather; season; spirit of yang
to play an instrument (esp. string instruments); to dance
sizzling (of cooking meat, fish, etc.); frizzling
living; lifestyle; living room