toucher
/tu.ʃe/
The English verb 'touch' is translated into French as toucher.
The verb toucher means to make physical contact with something. It can also be used figuratively to mean being emotionally moved or affected by something. Related to this, the noun toucher can refer to the act of touching, while the noun contact refers to close communication.
Meaning: make physical contact with (verb)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To form compound past tenses like the passé composé, use the past participle touché (e.g., j'ai touché).
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /tu.ʃe/ and consists of two syllables.
Did you know?
- In a financial context, toucher is used to mean 'to receive' or 'to collect' money, such as receiving a salary or a pension.
- The past participle touché is famously used in fencing to signal that a hit has been made. It is also used as an interjection in conversation, much like the English 'touché', to acknowledge a clever point made by an opponent.
- The word toucher likely comes from the Frankish word tukkōn, which meant 'to hit' or 'to bump'.
Examples in context
- Ne pas toucher !Do not touch!This sentence is useful for seeing the prohibition 'Ne pas toucher !'Tatoeba #9552536 by Micsmithel, translation #9126842 by megamanenm
- Puis-je y toucher ?Can I touch it?This sentence is useful for asking 'Puis-je y toucher ?'Tatoeba #1832467 by sacredceltic, translation #1832174 by Spamster
- Veux-tu le toucher ?Do you want to touch it?This sentence is useful for asking 'Veux-tu le toucher ?'Tatoeba #1706578 by sacredceltic, translation #1690608 by Spamster
- Je vais toucher le tableau pour montrer quelque chose.I am going to touch the board to show something.
- Il ne faut pas toucher les objets fragiles.Do not touch fragile objects.
- Je vais entrer en contact avec le responsable du département.I will get in touch with the department manager.
- Nous devons entrer en contact avec les fournisseurs.We need to get in touch with the suppliers.
- Arrête de toucher à mes affaires!Stop messing with my things!
- Je ne veux pas toucher à cette question délicate.I don't want to touch that delicate matter.
- Je ressens la chaleur du soleil sur ma peau.I feel the warmth of the sun on my skin.
- Elle ressentait la douceur de la soie sous ses doigts.She felt the smoothness of the silk under her fingers.
- Arrête de me chatouiller!Stop tickling me!
- Les plumes chatouillaient sa peau.The feathers tickled his skin.
- 77 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Gabriel are at an art museum.
- LéaGabriel, est-ce qu'on peut toucher les sculptures ?Gabriel, can we touch the sculptures?
- GabrielNon, il est interdit de toucher les œuvres.No, it is forbidden to touch the works.
- LéaC'est dommage, je voulais toucher le marbre.That's a shame, I wanted to touch the marble.
- GabrielLéa, il faut respecter les règles ici.Léa, we must respect the rules here.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “touch” translations and entries toucher, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries toucher, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
