investigation; examination; inquiry; enquiry; survey
after a short time; in a short while; a short time later
lower layer; layer beneath; lower strata (classes)
to brace oneself; to focus one's energies; to focus one's mind
combat power; fighting strength
to be disconnected; to get out of place; to miss the mark; to get it wrong (e.g. guess, expectation); to be removed; to be excluded
to be unable to; to find difficult (unpleasant, awkward, painful) to do; to serve two or more functions or roles simultaneously; to contain (or combine) two or more features; to work in two or more jobs simultaneously (positions, etc.); to do alongside
conformity; alignment; tuning; same tone; same pitch
waste of labor or energy; waste of labour; vain effort
to step on (a nail); to run (a nail) through one's foot; to put one's foot through (the floor)
long (time that has passed); old (story)
to pass; to pass on; to give (something) a miss; to cut it out; to knock off (for the day); to let the matter drop
pigment; paint; colour; color
the reverse (side); back (side); other side; hidden side; behind the scenes
lively; vigorous; energetic; full of (energy, appetite, curiosity, etc.); brimming with
flat; level; calm; tranquil; relaxed (sitting posture); comfortable
inclination; slant; slope; bevel; list; dip
to strain (one's ears, eyes); to prick up (one's ears)
drop of water; vessel for replenishing inkstone water
water vein; underground stream of water; waterway
to suspend between two points; to build (a bridge, etc.); to put up on something (e.g. legs up on table)
foundation; base; basis; from the beginning; from the outset; by nature
to push (something) out; to jut out (can have a negative nuance); to protrude; to rise out the trap door (on stage)
substance; true form; main part; main unit; object of worship (at a shrine, temple, etc.); noumenon
loud (criticism, protest, etc.); noisy; clamorous; boisterous; uproarious; fierce
waterway; channel; wake (of a ship)
going downstream (in a boat)
pitch-dark; pitch-black; completely dark; very bleak (future); utterly hopeless
cliff; precipice; precipice; brink of a dangerous situation
opposite bank; farther shore
ball; sphere; bead (of sweat, dew, etc.); drop; ball (in sports); pitch (e.g. in baseball); pile (of noodles, etc.)
flaunting; showing off; display (of power, wealth, etc.); ostentation
to be annoyed (by); to be offended (at); to be irritated (with)
blunder; bungle; gaffe; bungling; stupid; tactless
first day returning to work after the New Years holiday; first task at a new job; newcomer's first job
underling; newbie; small fry; newcomer
dumbfounded; speechless; flabbergasted; openmouthed (with surprise)
(dragging a large or heavy item) slowly; (falling) little by little; (slipping) gradually; on and on; while putting off; with a slurp
looking on; standing by and watching; sitting back and watching; remaining a spectator