precondition; prerequisite
middle grades of primary school (third and fourth grades)
learning by watching others; learning by imitation; following by example
counselor; counsellor; adviser; advisor
automobile manufacturer; car maker
joint enterprise; joint venture
wise; clever; smart; well-behaved (esp. children and pets); obedient; good
to bud; to sprout; to develop (of talents, feelings, etc.); to awaken
to nip (something) in the bud
click-clack; clickety-click; clicking sound; clattering sound
benefit; use; good; profit; gains
childcare leave (taken after the compulsory childcare leave); maternity leave; paternity leave
example; illustration; precedent
after childbirth; postpartum
return to work; going back to work
nursery school; day nursery; day care center
kindergarten (in Japan, non-compulsory education from age 3 until primary school); preschool
(husband and wife) both working; dual income
principal occupation; core business
meeting; gathering; village assembly; two wrestlers approaching each other
temporary custody (of children, luggage, etc)
accepted; fully-fledged; clear; respectable
inspection; reading; perusal; browsing (the web)
platform; home; home base; home plate
admission (to a school); entrance; enrolment; enrollment
lonely (place); remote; in the middle of nowhere
(another's) son; boy; young master; green young man from a well-to-do family; young man innocent of the ways of the world
to stumble a step or two forward (when trying to stop); to pass one's destination and stumble a step or two forward; to totter
dejectedly; in low spirits; downheartedly
to wither (of flowers, dreams, etc.); to wilt; to droop; to shrivel; to fade (away); to sag
to declare; to speak out; to warn; to spit out (words)
plump; fleshy; chubby; (walking) slowly; with soft-footed steps (of toddlers, small animals, etc.)
slipping out (a chuckle, giggle); unintentionally (letting out a quiet laugh)
middle period; medium-term
pressure; clamping; tightening; fastening