chance (of success); odds
start; commencement; beginning; initiation
it's different when ... but; it's not so bad when ... but
to begin; to set about; to start
to cut off; to excise; to tear off; to cut out; to whittle down; to tear out
life; existence; (one's) working life; career; life force; lifeblood
if anything; if pushed I'd say; if I had to say
to speak ill of; to disparage
downheartedly; dejectedly; dispiritedly; despondently
mom's home cooking; taste of mom's cooking; taste of home cooking; food like mom used to make
devising (a way); contriving; device; design; dedication to spiritual improvement (esp. through Zen meditation)
vague; obscure; indistinct; hazy; ambiguous
appeal; call for something; request; axiom
to be complete; to be all present; to be equal; to be uniform; to gather; to assemble
fragment; one of the group or party
to understand; to make out
to cut deep into; to cut one's way into (an enemy position); to rush on; to press someone hard (e.g. with questions); to get to the heart of (a matter)
suggestion; proposition; proposal; submission (of a bill); motion; proposal
to carry; to bring (to a place)
to have a taste (of something); to sample; to try
graceful; ladylike; modest; gentle; polite; quiet
success; passing (e.g. exam); eligibility
important position; strategic point; important point; main point; essentials
feel on the tongue (of food or drink); texture
creamy (in flavor or texture)
now that you say that; now that you mention it
chattering; prattling; gooey; messy (from mud, ink, etc.)
to become greasy; to become oily; to be loud and garish
box; case; car (of a train, etc.); shamisen case; shamisen; public building; community building