to change; to exchange; to convert; to renew; to throw a switch; to replace
axis; shaft; center; centre; stalk; stem
new face; newcomer; rookie; modern humans (from Cro-Magnon man onwards)
death rate; mortality rate
fall; decline; lowering; deterioration; degradation
to probe; to search; to sound out; to investigate
conviction; belief; confidence
with a rustling sound; rippling (of a stream, etc.); murmuring; slurping down (ochazuke); quickly and easily (e.g. write a letter); with ease
these guys; these fellows
private talk; confidential talk; secret talk
to sense; to suspect; to get an inkling (of something); to get wind of; to smell (e.g. danger); to become aware of (e.g. a plot)
main constituent; core; nucleus; subject (philosophical); protagonist
intellectual class; educated class; intelligentsia
to invite; to ask (someone to do); to tempt; to lure; to induce (tears, laughter, sleepiness, etc.); to arouse (e.g. sympathy)
four (fundamental) rules of arithmetic
writing on someone's behalf
each time; always; often; thank you for your continued patronage
(written) contract; agreement
same; similar; (just) like; equal
market price; speculation (e.g. on stocks); reputation (according to conventional wisdom); estimation
look; appearance; spectacle; sight; observation meditation; outlook on ...
to master (e.g. a skill); to become accustomed to (e.g. a lifestyle); to acquire (e.g. a habit); to retain
lower grade; low class; junior (officer)
indispensable; essential; requisite; required; compulsory; necessary
without compensation; without reward; without pay; free (of charge)
service; ministry; attendance; offering goods at a reduced price; providing a service for free
even at the best of times; already; (even) under normal circumstances; in addition to; as it is
to be worm-eaten; to be eaten by worms; to affect adversely; to spoil; to ruin
present condition; existing state; status quo; current state
early (days); initial stage; initial
lodging; inn; house; home; home of a servant's parents (or guarantor, etc.)
free (of charge); gratuitous
offer; tender; providing; sponsoring (a TV program)
tree; shrub; bush; wood; timber
pole; rod; line; dash; spoken monotonously
everyday clothes; ordinary clothes; casual wear; informal dress
zori; traditional Japanese thonged sandals
state; condition; the way things should be; ideal state; truth
to lend; to loan; to let out on hire
making off with (something); absconding; stolen; absconded (with)