弄
弄·play with, tamper
- On-yomi
- ロウ
- Kun-yomi
- もてあそ(ぶ)いじ(る)
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 翻弄 | ほんろう | toying with, being at the mercy of |
| 弄ぶ | もてあそぶ | to play with, to trifle with |
| 愚弄 | ぐろう | mockery, derision |
| 弄る | いじる | to fiddle with, to tinker with |
Example sentences
船は波に翻弄された。
ふねはなみにほんろうされた。
The boat was tossed about at the mercy of the waves.
人の気持ちを弄ぶのはやめなさい。
ひとのきもちをもてあそぶのはやめなさい。
Stop toying with people's feelings.
彼は緊張すると髪を弄る癖がある。
かれはきんちょうするとかみをいじるくせがある。
He has a habit of fiddling with his hair when he is nervous.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Reading 翻弄 as ほんのう — it is ほんろう
- 弄る (いじる) is usually written in kana; seeing the kanji, learners often guess もてあそる, which does not exist
Memory aid
Picture it
A jewel 王 held up by the two hands 廾 underneath: turning a treasure over and over in your palms — playing with it.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
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What does the kanji 弄 mean?