付つかず離はなれず

つ

か

ず

は

な

れ

ず

Meanings

1

expression, adverb, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'

keeping a proper distance; neither too close nor too far; maintaining a neutral stance

Describes a relationship or attitude where one avoids being overly intimate or completely detached; often used for interpersonal boundaries or diplomatic positions.

彼かれとはつかず離はなれずの関かん係けいを保たもっ

て

いる

。

I maintain a relationship with him that is neither too close nor too distant.

あの政せい治じ家かはどの派は閥ばつにもつかず離はなれずの立たち場ばを取とっている。

That politician takes a neutral stance, not aligning closely with any faction.

Kanji

離detach, separation, disjoin
付adhere, attach, refer to
即instant, namely, as is

Related words

距きょ離りを置おく
Means to deliberately create distance, often temporarily; つかず離れず describes a sustained, moderate distance rather than an active withdrawal.
中ちゅう立りつ
Refers to formal neutrality, especially in conflicts or disputes; つかず離れず is more about personal or informal equidistance.

Written forms

付つかず離はなれず
Standard kanji spelling using common characters for 'attach' and 'separate'.
つかず離はなれず
Kana spelling is common and avoids kanji ambiguity.
即つかず離はなれず
rarely-used kanji form
Rare kanji form using 即; it is rarely used.

Etymology

A set phrase combining the negative continuative forms of 付く (to attach) and 離れる (to separate), literally 'not attaching, not separating', expressing a state of moderate distance.