y toucher

touch it

→ y
phrase Uncommon #18,650
touch it Here, y means “it” or “that,” referring to something already mentioned or understood. The phrase is often used in warnings or commands, such as ne pas y toucher (“not to touch it”).
FR: Ne touche pas à ce bouton ! Il ne faut pas y toucher.
EN: Don't touch that button! You mustn't touch it.

Tu ne dois pas y toucher, car c'est très fragile.

You mustn't touch it, because it's very fragile.

Je lui avais dit de ne pas y toucher!

I had told him not to touch it!

— Harry Potter et le Prince de sang-mêlé (2009)

Je ne vais pas y toucher.

I'm not going to touch it.

Il ne faut pas y toucher.

You must not touch it.

Qui t'a autorisé à y toucher?

Who gave you permission to touch it?

— Memories of Murder (2003)

Pas question d'y toucher, tu entends!

Don't even think about touching it, do you hear me!

— Arrietty, le petit monde des chapardeurs (2010)

Inutile d'y toucher.

No need to touch it.

— La vie est belle (1997)

Je vous dis de ne pas y toucher!

I'm telling you not to touch it!

— Stalker (1979)

Les baies rouges sont toxiques, il ne faut pas y toucher.

The red berries are toxic; do not touch them.

Je t'avais dit de ne pas y toucher.

I told you not to touch it.

Ce sont nos affaires, tu ne dois surtout pas y toucher!

These are our belongings, you absolutely must not touch them!

— L'Orphelinat (2007)