staged event; faked situation; prearranged performance
complex; complicated; intricate; mixed (feelings)
protagonist; main character; hero(ine) (of a story); head of household
preliminary step; first step
handwriting; handwritten; hand-painted; hand-drawn
to be contrary to; to be inconsistent with; to act contrary to (rules or guidelines); to violate; to oppose; to rebel
thick; dense; rich (as in taste or content); crowded
tactics; strategy; military operation; naval operation
to wring (towel, rag); to squeeze; to squeeze (fruit to extract juice); to press; to rack (one's brains); to strain (one's voice); to extort
suspension; stoppage; discontinuance; interruption
insufficiency; deficiency; shortage; dissatisfaction; discontent; complaint
will; intent; desire; will; testament
fascination; to charm; to fascinate; to mesmerize
high praise; great admiration; rave reviews
new rice; first rice crop of the year; novice; beginner; newcomer
fee contingent upon success; contingency fee; completion bonus
to hold a grudge; to hold something against somebody
Everyone is safe (all right)
common sense; good sense; common knowledge; general knowledge; common practice; accepted practice
traditional ordering of the Japanese syllabary; fundamentals; the ABCs of ...
early (days); initial stage; initial
excess; surplus; superabundance
proper quantity; suitable amount; proper dose; optimal dose
easy delivery; easy childbirth; safe birth
unfathomable; inestimable; immeasurable
at this stage; at this point; now (contrasting with the past)
you're welcome; don't mention it; not at all; my pleasure
healthy; sound; wholesome
to put on (lower-body clothing, e.g. pants, skirt, footwear); to wear; to affix (a sword to one's hip); (arch.) to affix (a bowstring to a bow)
barefoot; superior to (a professional, etc. in ability or achievement)
to peep (through); to peek; to await (one's chance); to guess; to infer
at one's feet; underfoot; gait; pace; most recent; current
uncertain; doubtful; unreliable; unsteady; unclear; vague
to listen carefully; to strain one's ears