as much as one can; as much as possible
silence (not speaking); muteness
preference; priority; precedence; right of way
practice; training; drill; (an) exercise; workout
leaving hospital; discharge from hospital
to leave behind; to put off; to postpone
to be unreasonable; to whine; to throw a tantrum
to run around trying to escape; to run from place to place
hazy curtain of flowers; cherry blossoms appearing from afar like white mist
to dance (orig. a whirling dance); to whirl (in the wind); to flutter (about); to swirl
to gain time; to play for time; to buy time
protective wall; defensive wall; barrier; bulwark
flute; fife; pipe; whistle
soon; shortly; before long; nearly; almost
one's normal condition; one's usual state; keynote (esp. shamisen); proper key
emergency staircase; fire escape
doorknob; door knob; door handle
to lay hands on; to touch; to care for; to look after; to make off with; to steal
to fall (of rain, snow, ash, etc.); to come down; to form (of frost); to beam down (of sunlight or moonlight); to pour in; to visit (of luck, misfortune, etc.)
metallic sound; metallic clank
to drop like a rock (e.g. of reputation, power, influence); to go down the toilet
to throw violently against; to slam against; to strike; to thrust at someone (e.g. a letter)
to break; to be smashed; to split; to crack; to be divided (opinion, vote, etc.); to split (e.g. of a party); to come to light
to close (e.g. book, eyes, meeting, etc.); to shut
How did you like ...?; How about ...?; What's going on?; How's it going?
talking in one's sleep; somniloquy; nonsense; gibberish
other side; opposite side; other party
grumbling; muttering; nonsense
to give up (all thoughts of); to abandon; to despair of; to make up one's mind; to make a decision; to decide
floor; stage (for the narrator and the shamisen player); dining platform built across a river
to sink (into); to cave in; to get stuck in (e.g. mud); to get bogged down in; to get lodged in
to exert oneself greatly; to take pains; to make efforts; to break a bone
spare time; free time; time (it takes to do something); time required; time off; leave; dismissal
(talent) scout; recruiter; scouting; headhunting; Boy Scouts; Girl Scouts
lieutenant colonel; commander (navy)
position (where one is standing); place where one stands; position; stance; standpoint
they; those guys; those fellows