how many years; how long; what year
present age; present day; today; modern era; modern times
expertise; special knowledge; technical knowledge; expert knowledge
extensive; vast range; wide scope
to study; to complete (a course); to order (one's life); to repair (a fault one has committed)
no more than; just; only; mere; goes no further than
tummy; tumtum; bang-bang; pop-pop; without reservation; unreservedly
asking for the moon; pining for what one doesn't have; thinking the grass is greener on the other side of the fence; asking for too much; asking for the impossible
breakup (of a ceremony, wedding, party, meeting, etc.); closure
after a short while; not long after; soon; before long; shortly thereafter
to throw oneself (into an activity)
behavior; behaviour; manner; attitude; bearing
easily; readily; quickly; lightly (seasoned food, applied make-up, etc.); plainly; simply
sad; miserable; unhappy; sad; lamentable; deplorable
light; well-lit; bright (of a colour); brightly-coloured; cheerful; bright; encouraging (for the future of a project, etc.)
to behave; to conduct oneself; to entertain; to treat someone (to a drink); to make tea for someone (tea ceremony)
to stare at; to gaze at; to look hard at; to watch intently; to fix one's eyes on
being deeply moved emotionally; excitement; passion; inspiration; deep emotion; strong impression
fish sauce (made from fermented salted fish)
clamour; clamor; uproar; tumult; furore; furor
peculiarity; uniqueness; characteristic
early spring; beginning of spring; first month of the lunar calendar
till; to; concerning (an area of expertise); swearing by (one's sword, God, etc.)
to become familiar with; to fit in; to adapt oneself; to get used to; to grow accustomed to
barometer (instrument); measure (e.g. of one's health); indicator; index
habit (often a bad habit, i.e. vice); tendency; peculiarity; idiosyncrasy; crease; wrinkle
popular (with); in favour (with); well received
putting that aside; that said; apart from that; anyway; be that as it may
we are of equal status in this regard; we are in the same boat; the same to you; the feeling is mutual
to detain; to check; to restrain
or rather (say); or better (say); or perhaps I should say; or, how should I put it; I mean
society; public; community; social studies
(for something) to have occurred; to have done (something); (for something) to happen on occasion
the person in question; prominent figure; distinguished person; that person
to take (seat, position, course, office, etc.); to assume; to ascend (the throne); to accede; to start (on a journey); to commence