Japanese word

操る

Pronunciation

Romajiayatsuru

Meaning

  • verbcontrol

Example

彼は馬を巧みに操ります。kare wa uma o taku mi ni ayatsu ri ma su

He skillfully controls the horse.

Illustration for 操る (control)

More examples

彼女は巧みな話術で相手を操ります。kano jo wa taku mi na wa jutsu de ai te o ayatsu ri ma su

She skillfully manipulates the other person with her persuasive words.

Core concept

Describes deliberately directing a person, animal, or tool so that it moves or acts according to one's intention.

Common phrases

  • 人を操るhito o ayatsu ru

    manipulate people

  • 機械を操るki kai o ayatsu ru

    operate a machine

  • 手綱を操るta zuna o ayatsu ru

    handle the reins

Similar words

動かすugokasu: To cause a person, animal, or object to move or take action.
誘導するyūdōsuru: To guide a person or animal toward a chosen action or direction.
操縦するsōjūsuru: To control a vehicle or aircraft while it is moving.
操作するsōsasuru: To operate a machine, device, or system and make it perform a desired function.

Definition in Japanese

人や動物、道具などを自分の意図どおりに動かし、扱う。hito ya dō butsu dō gu na do o ji bun no i to dō ri ni ugo ka shi atsuka u

Word origin

操る (ayatsuru) is a native Japanese word, and its modern spelling uses 操 (sō, "handle" or "control") as a meaning-based kanji; its older word formation is not securely established.

Usage tips

  • 操る (ayatsuru) can sound skillful when it describes a horse or instrument, but it can sound negative when it describes influencing a person secretly.

Other meanings

  • manipulateverb
  • operateverb
  • steerverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 操り手ayatsuritemanipulatornoun
  • 操りayatsurimanipulationnoun

Word lists with this word