Translation guide
The English idiom "sitting on the fence" means avoiding taking sides or delaying a decision. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through various idioms, verbs, and phrases that convey indecision, neutrality, or hesitation.
To express that someone is not committing to either side in a disagreement or argument.
A common, slightly casual phrase meaning 'neither one nor the other' or 'on the fence'. It implies indecision or unwillingness to commit to one side.
彼はいつもどっちつかずの態度をとる。
He always takes a noncommittal attitude.
Literally 'not making one's attitude clear'. A straightforward way to describe someone who is being evasive or noncommittal.
彼女は態度をはっきりさせない。
She doesn't make her stance clear.
Means 'to be an opportunist' or 'to wait and see which way the wind blows'. It implies sitting on the fence to see which side will win before committing. Often has a negative connotation.
彼は日和見して、強い方についた。
He sat on the fence and then sided with the stronger party.
To express that someone is unable or unwilling to make a decision, often due to hesitation or overthinking.
A polite and natural way to say 'I'm having trouble deciding' or 'I can't decide'. It conveys hesitation without being overly casual.
どの大学に行くか決めかねている。
I'm sitting on the fence about which university to go to.
Means 'I'm lost/hesitating/wavering'. Very common for expressing indecision between options. Can be used in many contexts.
A社とB社の内定で迷っている。
I'm on the fence between job offers from Company A and Company B.
Literally 'not boiled through', meaning 'half-hearted' or 'wishy-washy'. Used to describe someone who can't make up their mind, often in a critical way.
To express that someone deliberately avoids stating their opinion to stay out of trouble or conflict.
Means 'to maintain neutrality'. A formal and clear way to say someone is not taking sides, often used in political or serious contexts.
その国は紛争で中立を守っている。
That country is sitting on the fence in the conflict.
Simply 'not stating an opinion'. A neutral, everyday way to describe someone who stays quiet to avoid conflict.
彼は会議で意見を言わない。
He sits on the fence during meetings.
Means 'to say something harmless or non-controversial'. Describes the act of avoiding strong opinions to stay safe.
彼女はいつも当たり障りのないことしか言わない。
She always sits on the fence and only says safe things.
The direct translation 「フェンスに座っている」 means physically sitting on a fence and does not convey the idiomatic meaning. Avoid using it to express indecision or neutrality.
「どっちつかず」 is more casual and often implies a negative judgment (wishy-washy), while 「中立」 is neutral/formal and used for deliberate neutrality, like in politics or journalism.
彼の煮え切らない態度にイライラする。
His fence-sitting attitude irritates me.