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.
その猫に触らないでください。
Please don't touch that cat.
濡れたペンキに触ってしまった。
I accidentally touched the wet paint.
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.
彼の手が私の肩に触れた。
His hand touched my shoulder.
Loanword from English, used in casual contexts or for specific actions like touching a screen.
画面にタッチしてください。
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).
その映画に感動した。
I was touched by that movie.
彼のスピーチは聴衆を感動させた。
His speech touched the audience.
Literally 'to strike the heart', meaning to be emotionally touching or moving.
Onomatopoeic expression for a warm, fuzzy feeling of being moved, often to the point of tears.
その話を聞いてジーンとした。
I was really touched by that story.
To be involved with something or someone for a short time, or to have a slight connection.
To be involved with, to have dealings with. Often used in negative to mean 'have nothing to do with'.
私はその事件に関わっていない。
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).
To briefly touch on a topic in conversation.
その問題についてはちょっと触れただけだ。
I only touched on that issue briefly.
To reach or attain a particular point, level, or amount.
To reach, to attain. Used for numbers, levels, goals.
気温が40度に達した。
The temperature touched 40 degrees.
To reach, to arrive. Often used for things physically reaching a place, or for voices/sounds carrying.
A small amount or hint of something.
Suffix meaning 'a touch of', 'slightly'. Attached to nouns or verb stems.
彼は疲れ気味だ。
He's a touch tired.
A little, a touch. Simple and common adverb.
少し塩を加えてください。
Add a touch of salt.
Literally 'one flavor', used to mean a touch of something that adds character.
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.
彼には誰もかなわない。
No one can touch him. (No one can match him.)
To not reach the level of, to be inferior to. Formal.
私の能力は彼には及ばない。
My ability can't touch his.
Do not use 触る or 触れる for emotional impact. Use 感動する or 心を打つ instead.
その話に触った。
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'.
展示物に触らないでください。
Please do not touch the exhibits. (intentional contact)
彼の服が私の腕に触れた。
His clothes touched my arm. (accidental, light contact)
また連絡します。
I'll be in touch.
Her letter touched my heart.
Don't touch gambling. (Don't get involved in gambling.)
His voice touched far away. (His voice carried far.)
このソースが料理に一味加える。
This sauce adds a touch to the dish.