Vocabulary

killing time; keeping oneself occupied; time killer

kotatsu; table over an electric heater, with a hanging quilt to retain heat (orig. over a charcoal brazier in a floor well)

counter for months

florist; flower shop

to ill-treat; to bully; to torment; to pick on; to tease; to be cruel to

eggplant (Solanum melongena); aubergine

label; tag

to become misty; to become hazy

selfish; egoist

stroke (of a kanji)

artistry; good taste; elegance; grace

competitiveness; competitive edge; competitive power

first-person plural (or singular)

point in common; common feature

republic; commonwealth

by force

forced; compulsory

to beg; to pester; to plead; to coax; to hound; to importune

to become frightened; to be frightened (of); to be scared (of)

to resound; to be heard far away

to be surprised; to be taken aback; to be amazed; to be astonished; to be shocked

astonishment; amazement; surprise; fright; shock

to say; to speak; to tell

exceedingly; extremely; decisively

onion (Allium cepa)

a little; a few; small; slight; trifling; meagre

to work (for, at, in); to be employed (at); to serve (as)

imprisonment (without forced labour); incarceration; confinement

scarf (esp. one worn for warmth); muffler

Happy New Year

nearsightedness; shortsightedness; myopia

lately; recently; nowadays

soon; in a few days

to bring near; to bring close; to let go near

money

gold (metal)

Venus (planet)

moneymaking; earning money

Friday

aluminum foil; aluminium foil; tinfoil; silver paper