Ming dynasty (China, 1368-1644)
at (place, time); in; to (direction, state); toward; for (purpose); because of (reason); for
letter; missive; note; mail
indicates direct object of action; indicates subject of causative expression; indicates an area traversed; indicates time (period) over which action takes place; indicates point of departure or separation of action; indicates object of desire, like, hate, etc.
to write; to compose; to pen; to draw; to paint
indicates possessive; nominalizes verbs and adjectives; substitutes for "ga" in subordinate phrases; (at sentence-end, falling tone) indicates a confident conclusion; (at sentence-end) indicates emotional emphasis; (at sentence-end, rising tone) indicates question
indicates sentence topic; indicates contrast with another option (stated or unstated); adds emphasis
perhaps; likely; probably; I dare say
this; this one; this person; now; this point (in time); here; used to stress the subject of a sentence
indicates sentence subject (occasionally object); indicates possessive (esp. in literary expressions); but; however; regardless of; whether (or not)
end; conclusion; last; final; no sooner than; once
to become; to get; to result in; to turn out; to consist of; to be composed of; to be completed
seems; I think; I guess; don't you agree?; I thought you'd say that!
life; life force; lifetime; lifespan; most important thing; foundation
behind; rear; after; later; remainder; the rest; more (e.g. five more minutes)
(a) little; (a) few; slight; only; just; merely
at; in; at; when; by; with; and then
to be used up; to be run out; to be exhausted; to be consumed; to come to an end
to finish; to stop; to close (a business, etc.); to close down; to put away; to put back
until then; till then; to that extent; the end of it; all there is to it
you; buddy; monarch; ruler; he; she
preparation; arrangements; provision; getting ready; laying out (e.g. a meal)
intention; plan; belief; assumption; estimate; estimation
be; is; did; (have) done; please; do
good; advantage; sake; purpose; consequence; result
to understand; to comprehend; to become clear; to be known; I know!; I think so too!
to leave (behind); to leave (undone); to not finish; to save; to set aside; to leave (to someone, esp. after one's death)
if; when; and; with; used for quoting (thoughts, speech, etc.); promoted pawn; indicates a question
to think; to consider; to think (of doing); to plan (to do); to judge; to assess; to imagine
splendid; magnificent; utter (esp. defeat); total; (arch.) something worth seeing; (arch.) sight
riddle; puzzle; enigma; enigmatic; mysterious
to explain; to dispel doubts
eternity; perpetuity; permanence; immortality
thought; imagination; mind; desire; wish; love
to receive; to get; to accept; to take; to interpret; to understand
to give; to let (one) have; to give; to do for one; to take the trouble to do; to do to someone's disadvantage
thing; matter; incident; occurrence; circumstances; situation; work
to desire; to wish; to beg; to request; to have something done for oneself
old book; rare book; classic; secondhand book; used book
temple; shrine; hall; company; (arch.) front room
direction; way; side (of an argument, etc.); one's part; type; category; field (of study, etc.)