more than friends, less than lovers
Describes a relationship that is emotionally close and possibly romantic, but not yet a committed intimate partnership. Often used in modern colloquial Japanese to label ambiguous pre-dating stages.
We're still more than friends but less than lovers, yet we keep in touch every day.
Some people say that a 'more than friends, less than lovers' relationship is the most enjoyable.
A longer, more explicit version of the same concept; 恋人未満 is a shorter, more casual abbreviation.
A modern Japanese phrase combining 恋人 (lover) and 未満 (less than, not yet reaching). It likely emerged in colloquial usage to describe ambiguous romantic relationships.