ichidan verb, intransitive verb
touch; come into contact; feel against
Intransitive use, typically with に: something touches or comes into contact with a surface or the body, sometimes with the nuance of being felt physically.
指先が冷たいガラスに触れた。
My fingertip touched the cold glass.
冷たい風が頬に触れた。
A cold wind touched my cheek.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
touch with; put one's hand to
Transitive pattern such as 〜に手を触れる or 〜に口を触れる: the body part or instrument is marked with を, and the thing touched with に.
展示品に手を触れないでください。
Please do not touch the exhibits with your hands.
ichidan verb, intransitive verb
experience; be exposed to; come into contact with; perceive
Abstract contact or exposure, often to culture, information, ideas, kindness, or art. In phrases like 目に触れる, it can mean coming into someone's view or awareness.
留学中に多くの異文化に触れた。
During my study abroad, I experienced many different cultures.
その写真は多くの人の目に触れた。
That photograph was seen by many people.
ichidan verb, intransitive verb
Used for bringing up or referring to a topic, usually as 〜に触れる. The negative form 触れない is common when deliberately avoiding a subject.
会議ではその問題に触れなかった。
They did not touch on that issue at the meeting.
ichidan verb, intransitive verb
violate; infringe; conflict with
Used with laws, rules, regulations, copyrights, and similar standards, usually as 法律に触れる or 規則に触れる.
その行為は法律に触れる可能性がある。
That act may violate the law.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
proclaim; make known; spread
Rare or old-fashioned transitive use meaning to announce or spread news, a proclamation, or a rumor. Modern Japanese more often uses expressions such as 触れ回る, 知らせる, or 言い広める.
古い用法では、「噂を触れる」が噂を言い広める意味で使われることがある。
In older usage, 噂を触れる can be used to mean spreading a rumor.