long; drawn-out; very long
preface; introduction; lead in (to a joke, question, etc.); lead up; payment in advance (by bank transfer); swinging (one's body) forward
company; association; regional Chinese god of the earth (or a village built in its honour); counter for companies, shrines, etc.
Hello Work; nickname for the Public Employment Security Office
flustered; flurried; stuttering (e.g. an apology)
aptitude; aptness; suitability
I don't know ...; how about ...?; I wonder; what about ..?
elegant; refined; polished; high-quality goods; first-class article
as expected; sure enough; after all (is said and done); in the end; too; also
what did you just say (to me)?; what's that?
head (of a household); proprietor (of a store); one's husband; (one's) employer; (one's) master; host
to go smoothly; to turn out well; to do the trick; to have peaceful relations
to arouse someone's interest; to whet (appetite); to be appealing; to be intriguing; to be fascinating
big landowner; great landowner; land baron; landed magnate; large landowner; territorial magnate
well known; well connected
like a decent person; human
(compulsory) retirement (e.g. on reaching the age of 65); mandatory retirement; reaching retirement age
city councillor; city councilor; city assemblyman
candidacy; standing as a candidate; bidding (to host an event, e.g. the Olympics)
introduction; presentation; referral; listing
thinking the sun shines out of someone's eyes; being the apple of one's eye; loving someone dearly
cute; adorable; dear; precious; innocent; childlike
to emit; to spout; to spurt; to boil over
particulars; details; specified items
rubbish; trash; garbage; refuse
place; room; margin; scope
not holding on; not using the hands; letting go one's hold; lack of reserve (in expressing one's emotions); lack of restraint; openly (saying)
sad face; sorrowful face; anxious look; sad countenance
favorite; favourite; pet (e.g. teacher's pet); bookmark (in web browser)
occasionally; once in a while; now and then; rarely; seldom
to take someone (to some place); to take someone along; to lead someone away
to refuse; to reject; to inform; to give notice; to ask leave; to excuse oneself (from)
something heard for the first time; hearing something for the first time
company employee; office worker; white-collar worker
time; hour; period; class
(not) even once; (not) ever
to be convinced (that); to be under the impression (that); to make up one's mind; to set one's heart on; to be obsessed (with a thought, idea, etc.); to think about obsessively
relationship; relation; terms (good, friendly, etc.)
(one) could even say that
charmless; lacking charm; not adorable; unendearing; not very nice at all