retro; nostalgic; old-fashioned
obi; kimono sash; paper wrapper on books, CDs, etc.; band; belt; cingulum
to keep company; to look after; to entertain; to play (a game) with
being startled, surprised or afraid; panic; trepidation
fear; horror; anxiety; concern; uneasiness; reverence
inconsequential; indifferent; not worth worrying about; whatever; whichever; I don't care
control; check; restraint; inhibition
basis; foundation; grounds; authority
if I'm forced to say something; if anything; if I must say; if I must choose
close friend; bosom friend; buddy; crony; chum
malicious; spiteful; vicious; shady and damp
leadership; initiative; spearhead
belonging to (a group, organization, etc.); affiliation (with); being attached to; being under the control of
loudly (flinging open a door); with a clatter; with a crash (e.g. of a falling structure); completely (change); utterly; louvre window (door, vent, etc.)
changing one's image and becoming more social and extroverted upon entering high school
hedge; fence; border; limit
to cross over; to cross; to pass through; to exceed; to surpass; to be more (than)
close (e.g. in terms of relationship); intimate
base (e.g. of a triangle); low class; low in social standing; base (e.g. of support); foundation
plain; simple; reserved (behaviour, attitude, etc.); modest; quite; a (little) bit
feeling of envy; jealous feeling
before one knows it; before one realises; without one's knowledge; without noticing
careful; thorough; meticulous; scrupulous
laying the groundwork; behind-the-scenes maneuvering; consensus-building process; digging around the roots of a tree (before transplanting)
principal offence; principal offense; principal offender
lightly; gaping wide; suddenly; unexpectedly
to have a hole; to be pierced (with a hole)
(laughing) foolishly; (smiling) thoughtlessly; indiscreetly (talking); carelessly (speaking); thin (paper, cloth, etc.); flimsy
to play (games, sports); to enjoy oneself; to mess about (with alcohol, gambling, philandery, etc.); to be idle; to do nothing; to meet up (with friends); to hang out
to use up all one's strength
hands and feet; limbs; person at one's beck and call; person at hand; reliable worker
soon; shortly; nearly; almost
jello (gelatin-based dessert); jelly; gel; jelly
to stagnate; to be delayed; to be left undone; to be overdue (of a payment); to fall into arrears; to be outstanding
to be filled with strength; to be filled with effort; to be enthusiastic about; to be tired (ironic)
heavy labor; heavy labour; hard work; hard labor (in prison); hard labour