to begin (doing); to start (doing)
gradually; by degrees; little by little; steps; stairs; staircase
passing shower; streaks of pouring rain
to get strong; to gain strength
darkness; the dark; bewilderment; despair; hidden place; secrecy
rain; rainy day; rainy weather; the November suit (in hanafuda)
to add; to add up; to increase; to gather (e.g. speed); to include; to count in
outside; exterior; the open (air); other place; somewhere else
mostly; nearly; practically; well-nigh; almost invariably; all but
fluorescent lamp; fluorescent light; person who is slow to react; someone slow on the uptake
door (Western-style, car, etc.)
helpless; forlorn; hopeless; unpromising; lonely; discouraging
honest; frank; candid; honestly; frankly
door; gate; opening; title page
a little while later; for a little while; some time later; for some time; presently
key; lock; key (to a problem); clue
key rack; (wall-mounted) key holder; key hook
as one would expect; just as you'd expect (from); still; all the same; even ... (e.g. "even a genius")
jersey (fabric); jersey; (sports) uniform; Jersey (cattle)
landlord; landlady; house owner; home owner; head of the household
entry (on stage); appearance (on screen); entrance; introduction (into a market)
trembling; getting nervous; excited; thrilled
exactly as stated; verbatim
room; chamber; apartment; flat; stable
tatami mat (esp. as a measure of room size, either 1.82 sqm or 1.54 sqm)
half; semi-; half-past; odd number; (arch.) unit of land area (595.8 m^2)
one room apartment; studio apartment
middle; centre; center; midpoint; heart
low dining table; tea table
period of an apprentice's contract (usu. ten years); apprenticeship; indentureship; indenture
bookshelves; bookshelf; bookcase
contents; interior; substance; content; (sword) blade
no problem; all right; not an issue; unobjectionable
thank you for your hard work; good work; see you; goodbye; goodnight
to meet (by chance); to come across; to meet (e.g. of rivers, highways, etc.); to emerge and engage (an enemy)
a Buddha; deceased person
cheers; bottoms-up; toast; drink (in celebration or in honor of something); drinking one's glass dry
France; French (language)