不即不離 bù jí bù lí

DEFINITIONS

  1. to be neither too familiar nor too distant
  2. to keep sb at arm's length

CHARACTERS

不 bù
HSK 1
no, not; un-; negative prefix
即 jí
HSK 4
promptly, quickly, immediately
不 bù
HSK 1
no, not; un-; negative prefix
離 lí leave, depart; go away; separate