social relationship; friendship
Refers to a relationship based on mutual obligation or social duty (義理), often implying a formal or reciprocal bond rather than pure affection.
My relationship with him is just a formal social connection; we're not particularly close.
Valuing social obligations is a Japanese tradition.
付き合い is a broader term for social interaction or association, not necessarily tied to obligation.
Compound of 義理 (duty, obligation) and 合い (mutual, together), literally 'mutual obligation'.