serious; not joking; straight
roundabout (e.g. expression); indirect (reference, criticism, etc.); oblique
to convey; to report; to transmit; to communicate; to tell; to impart
to be embarrassed; to lose face
for; for the sake of; to one's advantage; because of; as a result of
it's no joke; gimme a break!
will; volition; intention; intent; determination
to shut oneself in (e.g. one's room); to be confined in; to be filled with (emotion, enthusiasm, etc.); to fill the room (of a gas, smell, etc.); to be heavy with (e.g. smoke); to be muffled (e.g. voice); to hold (a castle, fortress, etc.)
every person; each one; everybody
to become speechless; to be at a loss for words
to wrap up; to pack; to cover; to envelop; to conceal (a feeling); to hide
anywhere; for all time; through thick and thin; come hell or high water; persistently; stubbornly
to freeze to; to be frozen to; to freeze in place; to be still
silent (as the grave); deadly silent; deathly quiet
watchful waiting; careful supervision
kapow; bang; bulging; filled to bursting; prostitute (catering to Occupation soldiers in Japan after WWII)
examination; quiz; test; tryout; rehearsal (in filming)
readiness; preparedness; resolution; resignation
high-spirited; cheerful; assertive; vigorous
national language; Japanese language (often as a school subject in Japan); native Japanese words (as opposed to loanwords)
slight bow (as a greeting or sign of gratitude); nod; salutation; consideration; thoughtfulness
storm; tempest; uproar; hullabaloo; storm (e.g. of protest)
many; much; majority (of); greater part (of); mostly; mainly
underwear; undergarment; underclothes; lingerie
rude; outspoken; presumptuous; cheeky
question; inquiry; enquiry
to throw at; to turn; to raise
vague; ambiguous; shady; disreputable; fuzzy
half-cooked; vague; halfhearted; indecisive
attitude; manner; behaviour; attitude (towards an issue, etc.); position; stance
great; excellent; very troublesome; awful; tiring; tough
to be surprised; to be amazed; to be frightened; surprise (e.g. surprise party)
beautiful face; beautiful looks; beauty; belle; handsome man
self-confidence; confidence (in oneself)
with my own (two) eyes; with these very eyes
(swimming) pool; pool (billiards); pool (together)
apt to (do); liable to; predominantly; mostly; ... reaps the rewards; ... takes the prize
weak; frail; delicate; tender; unskilled; weak (wine)
whether one likes it or not; willy-nilly
primary school; elementary school; grade school
lower grades of primary school (first, second, and sometimes third grades)