to be surprised; to be astonished
may; might; perhaps; may be; possibly
is that so? (generally rhetorical)
mental preparedness; being braced for; being steeled for
obsession; fixation; complaining; criticizing; speciality (e.g. of restaurants)
name; given name; first name
beginning; outset; first; onset
name; given name; title; fame; renown; pretext
selection; choice; option
right beside; close to; nearby
one; 1; best; first; foremost; beginning; start
metre; meter; meter; gauge
place; location; room; space; basho; wrestling tournament
good; OK; all right; fine; very well; will do
explanation; interpretation
surroundings; environs; circumference
to change into; to convert into; to transform; to be reduced; to influence; to improve (someone)
start; commencement; beginning; initiation
just as; in the act of; as soon as; at the moment that
complete change; about-face
(made of) stone; stone-built
here and there; in places
iron grill; iron grille; iron lattice; prison
room; chamber; apartment; flat; stable
lying face down; lying on one's face; placing upside down; placing face down
guard; sentinel; garrison
-ish; -like; resembling; appearing to be; seeming to be
man; male; fellow; guy; male lover; boyfriend
to stand; to rise; to find oneself (e.g. in a difficult position); to depart (on a plane, train, etc.)
to stand watch; to stand guard; to look out; to open (one's eyes) wide
I fear that it's likely that; with all due respect
speaking of ...; when it comes to ...; as for ...; if one were to say ...
substantial; real (as opposed to nominal)
filthy; dirty (looking); drab
gloomy; dismal; miserable; spirit of yin
to lock up; to shut up; to imprison
losing one's position; losing one's standing; downfall; fall (from power); being overthrown