to put on a bold front; to act big; to be unyielding; to act formally; to act stiffly
as one would expect; just as you'd expect (from); still; all the same; even ... (e.g. "even a genius")
but then; although; though; reasonable; natural; just
few; a little; scarce; insufficient; seldom
to strain or exert oneself; to go all out
lasting long; continuation; keeping at (something); sticking to (something)
it is ... that ...; precisely; although; while; it is precisely because ... that ...; only because ...
easy-peasy; easy; simple; pleasant; comfortable; comfy
to take (a resource, e.g. time or money); to hang; to come into view; to arrive; to come under (a contract, a tax); to start (engines, motors); to attend
what is called; as it is called; the so-called; so to speak
privately run store; one-man business; mom-and-pop store
chain (bicycle, measuring, tire, etc.); chain (store, hotel, etc.)
carefree; comfortable; at ease; easygoing; happy-go-lucky
diligently; assiduously; industriously; beavering away
lesson; class work; teaching; instruction
wearisome; insipid; dull; irksome; wretched; vain
candidate; contender; prospect; candidacy; candidature; nomination
to produce (e.g. movie, play, show, event, musical recording, etc.); to design (e.g. new commercial product, restaurant concept, etc.); to create; production; creation; design
preliminary inspection; having a look in advance; preparatory read-through (e.g. of lesson notes); siding (on a house); clapboard
one person; being alone; being by oneself; being single; being unmarried; by oneself
lightning; thunder; god of thunder; god of lightning; anger; fit of anger
to shoot (at); to attack; to defeat; to destroy
to bend backwards; to bend oneself back; to be taken aback
substance; essence; real (in economics, vs. nominal, e.g. real interest rate); substantive; substantial
good; advantage; sake; purpose; consequence; result
name; title; appellation; (under the) pretext (of); pretense
pleasant feeling; good vibes
technical book; specialized book; treatise
little girl; maiden; young lady; (arch.) female between 17 and 20 years old (ritsuryo period)
to declare; to assert; to state definitively; to finish saying; to say it all; to finish one's sentence
good; excellent; fine; nice; pleasant; agreeable
course; route; course (of study); program; lane (in running, swimming, etc.); course (of action); policy
(following a verb) to be sure to; to do (something) so that ...; to make sure to; to try to
super-; ultra-; extremely; really; over; more than