Translation guide
The English word "touching" can refer to physical contact, emotional impact, or being adjacent to something. This guide covers common Japanese expressions for these meanings.
Expressing the act of physically touching something or someone.
General verb for touching, often with the nuance of intentional contact. Can be used for touching objects or people.
その猫に触らないでください。
Please don't touch that cat.
彼は私の肩に触った。
He touched my shoulder.
Often implies a lighter, more fleeting touch, or contact with something intangible (e.g., a topic). Can also be used for physical contact.
手が彼女の髪に触れた。
My hand touched her hair.
展示品に触れないでください。
Please do not touch the exhibits.
Formal or technical term for physical contact, often used in scientific or official contexts.
この化学物質は皮膚に接触しないように注意してください。
Be careful not to let this chemical come into contact with your skin.
Describing something that evokes strong emotions, especially sympathy or sadness.
Adjective meaning 'moving' or 'touching' in an emotional sense. Used for stories, movies, speeches, etc.
その映画はとても感動的だった。
That movie was very touching.
彼のスピーチは感動的でした。
His speech was touching.
Literally 'to strike the heart', meaning deeply moving or touching.
Literally 'to press on one's chest', implying an emotionally overwhelming, touching experience.
その話は胸に迫るものがあった。
The story was deeply touching.
Describing two things that are next to each other or sharing a border.
Verb meaning 'to touch', 'to adjoin', or 'to border'. Used for geographical boundaries or objects in contact.
日本は海に接している。
Japan is touching the sea (bordered by the sea).
二つの家は壁が接している。
The two houses have touching walls.
Formal term meaning 'adjacent' or 'bordering', often used for properties or areas.
公園に隣接している土地。
Land touching the park.
Referring to touching on a subject in conversation or writing.
Used metaphorically to mean 'touch on' a topic. Often used with に.
その問題に少し触れたいと思います。
I would like to touch on that issue briefly.
Formal verb meaning 'to mention' or 'to refer to'.
彼はその点について言及しなかった。
He didn't touch on that point.
触る (sawaru) is typically a more deliberate, active touch, while 触れる (fureru) often implies a lighter, more passive or accidental contact. 触れる is also used metaphorically (touching on a topic).
ボタンに触る (intentionally press) vs 手がボタンに触れる (hand accidentally brushes the button)
Touch the button vs hand touches the button
Do not use 触る or 触れる to mean emotionally touching. Use 感動的な or similar expressions instead.
Her song was truly touching.