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I found these two phrases:

彼らは熊を[触]{さわ}る。

彼らは熊に触る。

I don't see the difference between them, since both mean "touching a bear."

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5

There is no difference.

Because 触る is intransitive, only に should technically be correct. However, the language has changed over time, and now you can find it with を sometimes.

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  • Ah the ever-changing ways of living languages. Never fails to confuse and frustrate, eh? Kidding, kidding. >w< It's all fun and games once you get it.
    – Pleiades
    Jan 18, 2016 at 3:04
  • Well, I learned something new today. d(^w^)
    – Miss Lavelle
    Jan 18, 2016 at 3:06
  • So, they have the exactly same meaning with no sightly difference?
    – Jaume
    Jan 18, 2016 at 4:22
  • 3
    でも・・・Don't touch me! は「私を触らないで」でなく「私に触らないで！」と言いますよね・・・一方で、電車の痴漢には「女性のお尻に触った」でなく「女性のお尻を触った」って言いますよね・・・
    – chocolate ♦
    Jan 19, 2016 at 15:31

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