poutine (Canadian dish)

a red paper lantern, typically used as a sign marking an izakaya, an inexpensive Japanese pub / (figuratively) an izakaya

word puzzle where four kanji are arranged around a blank in the middle, and four 熟語 (jukugo, “kanji compounds”) are to be formed by filling in the blank.

rare / unusual / strange

tax / tariff

sharp / pointed / piercing

(informal) the lady doth protest too much; a girl's protests should not necessarily be taken at face value.

penal / chastise / punish / discipline

brilliant

char / hurry