important; essential; significant; major; key; principal
far and away the best; the very best; cream of the crop; crème de la crème; decisive lead; commanding lead
neck; bottleneck; obstruction; neckline
to emphasize; to state emphatically; to speak loudly about; to raise one's voice; to lift one's voice
to strike a chord; to tug at one's heartstrings; to resonate
person; character; one's character; one's personality; able person; talented person
eye for people; ability to judge character
if you think about it; come to think of it
sometimes; at intervals; occasionally; on occasion; from time to time
same generation; one's generation
to be too much for one; to find unmanageable; to be beyond one's control; to not know what to do with
desirable; hoped for; preferable; advisable
fault; defect; flaw; failure (in an examination); failing grade
support; backing; endorsement; propping up; holding up; support
tranquil; calm; restful; peaceful; quiet
year by year; annually; every year; from year to year
polish; burnishing; improvement; becoming more skilled
violence; reckless action; (an) outrage
to jump out; to leap out; to appear (suddenly); to emerge; to protrude; to project
to approach; to draw near; to get close; to get acquainted with; to get closer to; to get to know
severe; strict; hard (to do); difficult; intense (e.g. cold); harsh (weather)
obstacle; impediment; disability; handicap; steeplechase; obstacle race
to think nothing of ...; to care nothing for ...; to be undaunted by ...; to defy ...; to brave ...; to pay no attention to ...
greed; craving; desire; appetite; hunger; avarice
to decide; to determine; to establish; to lay down; to bring peace (to); to make peaceful
to be blurred (due to motion; of a photo, video, etc.); to be shaken (of a camera); to waver (in one's beliefs, policy, etc.); to shift (position); to be slightly off
subsidence; sinking; fall (of a city, fortress, etc.); surrender; fall (in position, rank, etc.); demotion
matter of time; question of time
always; constantly; at all times; habitually
theatre-going; theater-going
onigiri; rice ball (often triangular, sometimes with a filling and wrapped in nori)
rolled egg; rolled omelette (omelet); fried egg; frying pan for making rolled eggs
teriyaki (meat or fish marinated in sweet soy sauce and broiled)
nikujaga; meat and potato stew
sum; harmony; peace; Japan; Japanese-style
to all appearances; no matter how you look at it
appearance; shape; form; atmosphere; look; feel
soy sauce; soya sauce; shoyu
nimono; food cooked by boiling or stewing
small dish (served as a part of an ordinary household meal); side dish