不ふ即そく不ふ離り

ふ

そ

く

ふ

り

Meanings

noun

neutral; noncommittal; neither close nor distant

yojijukugo (four-character idiom)

Describes a relationship or attitude that is deliberately kept neutral, without strong attachment or detachment. Often used for diplomatic, political, or interpersonal stances.

彼かれはどの派は閥ばつにも不ふ即そく不ふ離りの立たち場ばを取とっている。
He maintains a neutral stance toward every faction.
隣りん人じんとは不ふ即そく不ふ離りの関かん係けいを保たもつのが一いち番ばんだ。
It's best to keep a noncommittal relationship with neighbors.

Kanji

不negative, non-, bad
即instant, namely, as is
離detach, separation, disjoin

Related words

中ちゅう立りつ
中立 is a more common word for 'neutrality', often used in political or conflict contexts. 不即不離 emphasizes a deliberate, balanced distance in relationships rather than formal neutrality.
付つかず離はなれず
付かず離れず is a more colloquial expression with a similar meaning of keeping a moderate distance, but 不即不離 is a formal yojijukugo often used in written or formal contexts.

Etymology

A yojijukugo composed of 不 (not), 即 (immediate, close), 不 (not), and 離 (separate, distant), literally meaning 'neither close nor distant'. The exact historical origin is uncertain, but it follows a common pattern of Buddhist-influenced four-character compounds expressing a middle way.