to put oneself on guard; to stand ready; to square off
to probe; to search; to sound out; to investigate
to perceive; to grasp (the situation)
trivial; not amounting to much
malicious; ill-tempered; unkind
this and that; this or that; one thing after another
clear-cut and straightforward; (of a person) forward-thinking; honest; upright
Satsuma (former province located in the west of present-day Kagoshima Prefecture); sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas)
people who lived in Kyushu in ancient times, and who opposed the state of Yamato
targeting; aiming at a specific target; selective hitting; swinging only at certain types of pitches; having no choice in a move (e.g. mahjong, go, etc.)
boorish; unrefined; rustic; uncouth; clumsy; brusque
to spoil someone's start; to kill someone's enthusiasm; to take the wind out of someone's sails
side road; byroad; digression (e.g. from argument)
to turn away; to bear off; to veer away; to deviate (e.g. of a conversation); to digress; to go astray
air; atmosphere; mood; situation; someone with no presence; someone who doesn't stand out at all
to soften; to calm down; to be eased; to be mitigated; to subside; to abate
to break the ice; to broach a subject; to bring up a topic
some time ago; recently; lately; last (Sunday, etc.); previous
matter; affair; counter for (received) emails, text messages, voicemail messages, etc.; counter for accounts (on a website, email service, etc.)
lovely; dear; beloved; pitiable; pathetic; piteous
to offer (a suggestion, etc.); to propose (an idea, etc.); to approach with (a proposal, etc.)
doesn't amount to doing (something); not significant enough to require (something); unnecessary
upper part; upper stream; upper course of a river; right side of the stage (audience's or camera's POV); stage left (actor's POV); skillful (in comparisons)
unskillful; poor; awkward; imprudent; untactful
half-cooked; vague; halfhearted; indecisive
to walk (a bicycle, scooter, etc.); to push; to wheel
obsession; fixation; complaining; criticizing; speciality (e.g. of restaurants)
emotional attachment; attitude (expressing emotion); meditative pose (e.g. an actor); posing for effect
negligent; neglectful; careless; remiss
parched; dried-up; empty; hollow; rattling; clattering
to distance oneself (from); to keep (something or someone) at a distance; to maintain a distance (from)
to become dim; to become blurred
to keep an eye on; to take care of
lack; absence; shortage; deficiency; privation
miserable; pitiable; shameful; deplorable; pathetic
good fortune; happiness; blessing; good luck
middle; halfway; half (of); one half; half (e.g. done, jokingly); partly
extension; elongation; prolongation; Enchō era (923.4.11-931.4.26)
taking an examination (esp. school and university entrance)
place where music lessons are given; music class; music school
anyone; anybody; everyone; whoever
assistance; help; aid; support; reinforcement
position; situation; viewpoint; standpoint; point of view
such; like that; that sort of; very