Translation guide
The English word "touch" covers physical contact, emotional impact, brief involvement, and more. Japanese uses different words and phrases depending on the meaning.
To make physical contact with something or someone, usually with the hand or fingers.
General verb for touching something with your hand or fingers. Often used with に to mark the object touched.
Please don't touch that cat.
Often implies a lighter, more fleeting touch, or touching with a part of the body other than the hand. Can also be used for abstract 'touching on' a topic. More formal/literary than 触る.
Loanword from English, used in casual contexts or for specific actions like touching a screen.
Please touch the screen.
To cause someone to feel strong emotions, especially sympathy or gratitude.
To move someone emotionally, to impress deeply. Often used in passive form 感動した (I was moved).
To be involved with something or someone for a short time, or to have a slight connection.
To reach or attain a particular point, level, or amount.
To reach, to attain. Used for numbers, levels, goals.
A small amount or hint of something.
To be as good as someone else, to match their skill.
Cannot match, cannot compete with. Used in negative form to say someone is no match.
No one can touch him. (No one can match him.)
Do not use 触る or 触れる for emotional impact. Use 感動する or 心を打つ instead.
I touched the story. (incorrect)
触る (sawaru) is a general, intentional touch with the hand. 触れる (fureru) is often lighter, more fleeting, or abstract. 触れる can also mean 'to touch on a topic'.
I accidentally touched the wet paint.
彼の手が私の肩に触れた。
His hand touched my shoulder.
I was touched by that movie.
His speech touched the audience.
Literally 'to strike the heart', meaning to be emotionally touching or moving.
Her letter touched my heart.
Onomatopoeic expression for a warm, fuzzy feeling of being moved, often to the point of tears.
I was really touched by that story.
To be involved with, to have dealings with. Often used in negative to mean 'have nothing to do with'.
I didn't touch that incident. (I wasn't involved.)
Literally 'to put out one's hand', meaning to get involved in something, often with a negative connotation (meddling, trying something risky).
Don't touch gambling. (Don't get involved in gambling.)
To briefly touch on a topic in conversation.
I only touched on that issue briefly.
The temperature touched 40 degrees.
To reach, to arrive. Often used for things physically reaching a place, or for voices/sounds carrying.
His voice touched far away. (His voice carried far.)
He's a touch tired.
A little, a touch. Simple and common adverb.
Add a touch of salt.
Literally 'one flavor', used to mean a touch of something that adds character.
This sauce adds a touch to the dish.
To not reach the level of, to be inferior to. Formal.
My ability can't touch his.
展示物に触らないでください。
Please do not touch the exhibits. (intentional contact)
His clothes touched my arm. (accidental, light contact)
I'll be in touch.