my sincere congratulations; please accept my congratulations
head; leader; top; (arch.) important part
even ... (e.g. "even a genius")
taking over (e.g. store or family's headship); subrogation; substitution of one person for another (usu. a creditor)
participation; taking part in; participating in; being concerned in
urgent; pressing; exigent
stagnation; deposit; sediment; faltering; hesitation; pause
first day returning to work after the New Years holiday; first task at a new job; newcomer's first job
having a crisp appearance; stiffly; tensely; smartly (e.g. dressed); neatly
something or other; this and that; one thing this, another thing that; blah blah blah
nice; likeable; desirable
secret information; intelligence
presence; sitting with; being with
immediately; instantly; with nary a pause; without a moment's delay
to make a mistake (in); to commit an error; to be wrong; to be incorrect; to mislead; to misguide
between both countries; bilateral
conference; consultation; discussion; negotiation
thinking (about a matter) for a long time; contemplating for a long time; lengthy consideration; pondering
I would be most grateful if you could ...; I would humbly ask that you ...; please ...
look who's talking; you're one to talk; you can talk
outspoken; forthright; frank; direct
to use one's own judgement; to not be swayed by others; to have confidence in oneself
to get; to obtain; to come by; to find
ryotei; traditional Japanese restaurant (esp. a luxurious one)
tatami room; tatami mat room; formal Japanese room; dinner party in a tatami room (esp. when a geisha or maiko attends)
small stream; brooklet; murmuring (as of a stream)
tempura; deep-fried fish and vegetables in a light batter
signalling with the eyes; exchanging looks; winking
to pour (sake); to serve; to drink together
weak-headed; can't drink much; can't hold one's liquor; can't take one's drink; easily gets drunk
appearing drowsy or intoxicated (of eyes, actions, etc.)
to row a boat; to nod off; to doze off
close contact (with an infected person)