友とも達だち以い上じょう

expression

more than a friend; beyond friendship

Implies a relationship that is closer than ordinary friendship, often with romantic or intimate overtones. Used as a set phrase, often followed by 恋人未満 (less than lovers) to describe ambiguous relationships.

• 彼かれとは友とも達だち以い上じょうだけど、まだ恋こい人びとではない。

  We're more than friends, but we're not lovers yet.

• 友とも達だち以い上じょう恋こい人びと未み満まんの関かん係けいが続つづいている。

  We've been in a relationship that's more than friends but less than lovers.