操(あやつ)る

あやつる
godan verb
to manipulate, to operate, to handle
1. to operate, to handle, to control skillfully
To operate or handle something with skill, such as a vehicle, tool, instrument, or language.
彼女(かのじょ)は三(さん)か国語(こくご)を操(あやつ)る。
She speaks three languages fluently.
馬(うま)を巧(たく)みに操(あやつ)る騎手(きしゅ)だ。
He is a jockey who handles horses skillfully.
最新(さいしん)の機械(きかい)を自由(じゆう)に操(あやつ)る技術(ぎじゅつ)を身(み)につけた。
I acquired the skill to operate the latest machinery freely.
2. to manipulate, to pull strings, to control (a person)
To control or influence someone behind the scenes, making them act according to one's will. Carries a negative connotation of deception or exploitation.
裏(うら)で人(ひと)を操(あやつ)っている。
He is manipulating people behind the scenes.
世論(よろん)を操(あやつ)ることは危険(きけん)だ。
Manipulating public opinion is dangerous.
彼(かれ)は政治家(せいじか)を裏(うら)から操(あやつ)る黒幕(くろまく)だと言(い)われている。
He is said to be the mastermind pulling politicians' strings from behind the scenes.

TRANSITIVITY:
Transitive (他動詞(たどうし)). Takes を to mark the object being operated or manipulated.

ASPECT (ている):
操(あやつ)っている describes an ongoing action or habitual ability (e.g., is manipulating; can handle).

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 言葉(ことば)を操(あやつ)る: to wield language, to be fluent
  • 人形(にんぎょう)を操(あやつ)る: to work a puppet
  • 裏(うら)で操(あやつ)る: to manipulate from behind the scenes
  • 世論(よろん)を操(あやつ)る: to manipulate public opinion

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 操作(そうさ)する: to operate (neutral, technical)
  • コントロールする: to control (neutral)
  • 操(あやつ)る: implies skill (sense 1) or deviousness (sense 2)
general
Added 2026.2.22 15:17
12500/12707_ayatsuru