truth is stranger than fiction
things like; something like; someone like; such a thing as; (the fact) that; to think that
to say; to utter; to name; to call; to go (e.g. "the alarm went ping"); to make a noise
actually; really; truly; in practice; practically
indicates sentence topic; indicates contrast with another option (stated or unstated); adds emphasis
at; in; at; when; by; with; and then
to write; to compose; to pen; to draw; to paint
like; similar to; (I) think (that); (I) have a feeling (that); feels like; feels similar to
incident; affair; happening; event
indicates sentence subject (occasionally object); indicates possessive (esp. in literary expressions); but; however; regardless of; whether (or not)
reality; actuality; hard fact
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
the world; society; sphere; circle; world-renowned; world-famous
there is no need to ...; never happens; there is never a time when
and; besides; because; since; the thing is; for one thing
still more; to say nothing of; not to mention; still less
mystery novel; detective novel; whodunit
as a matter of fact; actually; effectively; in reality; in effect
thing; matter; incident; occurrence; circumstances; situation; work
nonexistent; not being (there); unowned; not had; unique; not; impossible
be; is; did; (have) done; please; do
if; when; and; with; used for quoting (thoughts, speech, etc.); promoted pawn; indicates a question
such; that sort of; that kind of; no way!; never!
sermon; preaching; remonstration; scolding; lecturing
to become; to appear like; to have a touch of; to look like
manner of speaking; verbal argument; objection; protesting a decision (esp. that of a sumo referee); rumor; rumour
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 let (someone) hear; to tell (e.g. a story); to make (someone) listen; to make (someone) understand; to grip (someone) with skilful singing, storytelling, etc.; to hold (someone) enchanted by
time (three times, each time, etc.); times
such; this sort of; like this
at (place, time); in; to (direction, state); toward; for (purpose); because of (reason); for
only; just; merely; as much as; to the extent of; enough to
to become; to get; to result in; to turn out; to consist of; to be composed of; to be completed
(following a verb) to be sure to; to do (something) so that ...; to make sure to; to try to
mind; heart; spirit; the meaning of a phrase (riddle, etc.)
to swear; to vow; to take an oath; to pledge
plain; field; hidden (structural) member; wild; lacking a political post
that; the; part (as in "part two"); um ...; er ...
thinking; thought; idea; notion; intention; plan
small quantity; little; little while; short distance
to change; to alter; to reform; to correct; to examine; to check