1.
to touch, to come in contact
To make physical contact.
自然に触れる。
To experience nature.
展示品に触れないでください。
Please don't touch the exhibits.
子どものころ海や山で自然に触れる機会が多かった。
When I was a child, I had many opportunities to experience nature at the sea and mountains.
2.
to mention, to refer to
To bring up a topic.
その話題に触れる。
To bring up that topic.
その件にはあまり触れないほうがいい。
It's better not to mention that matter too much.
会議で部長がその問題に少しだけ触れたが、詳しい説明はなかった。
The department manager briefly touched on that issue at the meeting, but there was no detailed explanation.
触れる is an intransitive ichidan verb with two main meanings: to make physical contact and to mention or refer to something.
TRANSITIVITY:
- Type: 自動詞 (intransitive)
- Takes に particle: Xに触れる
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 展示品に触れないでください: Please don't touch the exhibits
- その話題に触れる: to mention that topic
- 自然に触れる: to experience/connect with nature
- 法に触れる: to break the law
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 触れる: to touch (slightly formal, often light contact)
- 触る: to touch (casual, often implies handling)
REGISTER:
More formal than 触る; preferred in written language and polite contexts.