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当たらず触らず (あたらずさわらず) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
noncommittal ; avoiding commitment ; playing it safe
Describes a stance or response that neither opposes nor supports, carefully avoiding direct involvement or clear opinion. Often used with 態度, 返事, or 言い方.
あ
たら
ず
触さわ
ら
ず
の
態たい
度ど
を
取と
っ
た
。
At the meeting, he took a noncommittal stance.
Written forms 当あ たらず 触さわ らず
Standard kanji spelling using 触 for 'touch'.
当あ たらず 障さわ らず
Variant using 障, which can also mean 'to hinder' or 'to affect', but here it is used interchangeably with 触 in this fixed expression.
Similar words 曖あい 昧まい 曖昧 means 'vague' or 'ambiguous', often referring to unclear meaning, while 当たらず触らず specifically describes a deliberate avoidance of commitment or confrontation.
煮に え 切き らない 煮え切らない describes someone who is indecisive or wishy-washy, whereas 当たらず触らず is more about a calculated, noncommittal stance.
Etymology Literally 'neither hitting nor touching', from 当たる (to hit, to be right) and 触る (to touch). The phrase figuratively means avoiding any direct impact or contact, hence a noncommittal attitude.
