to improve one's skill (esp. at calligraphy or drinking larger amounts of alcohol)
creakingly; squeakingly; tightly (squeezing, pressing, etc.); (drinking) all in one sweep
to shut one's eyes; to ignore; to pretend not to know; to die
suddenly (hit); with a slap; sharply (glance, glare, etc.); fiercely; suddenly; all of a sudden
strange; odd; unexpected; change; incident; disturbance
to look around; to survey
to be temperate in; to refrain; to make notes; to jot down (e.g. phone number); to be in preparation for; to be in waiting for
for two people's eyes to meet; catching someone's eye; making eye contact; meeting a person's gaze
ah!; oh!; yes; indeed; aah; gah
(to be ashamed enough) to wish you could just disappear; wanting to sink into the ground in shame
to squat; to crouch down (completely, generally with face looking through knees)
indescribable; inexpressible; unspeakable; indefinable; nobody can tell
dealing with (people, customers, complaints, etc.); receiving (callers, visitors, etc.); attending to; handling; serving
deplorable; regrettable; disappointing; vexing; unfortunate
once; for a short time; briefly; (arch.) one morning
programme; program; plans; arrangements
guard; sentinel; garrison
excessively spacious; unduly wide; sprawling
centre; center; middle; capital; seat of government
to comb down; to smooth down
concerning; regarding; per (e.g. 100 yen per person); for every
to cross; to intersect; to associate with; to mingle with; to have a sexual relationship; to copulate
back; rear; background; behind the scenes
to be shut; to close; to be locked; to tighten; to be tightened; to become sober
script; libretto; scenario
to strain; to stretch; to string up; to cover over (e.g. with tiles, ice, etc.)
control; bringing under control; settling (a matter); putting in order
in drops; dripping; gently (sloping); sluggishly; endlessly; leisurely
brush tip; first on a list; head; chief
from the place (where); from the fact that ...; caused by the fact that ...; because
to shiver; to shake; to quake; to tremble; to quaver; to quiver
relaxation (e.g. of muscles); becoming flaccid
ordinary people; common folk; general masses; man in the street; populace at large
swiftly; rapidly; suddenly; abruptly; sharply (of a slope, bend, etc.); steeply