弄ぶ

• Reading: もてあそぶ
• Romaji: moteasobu
• Kanji breakdown: 弄 (rō/moteasо) — to play with, to toy with, to trifle with
• Pronunciation: /mo.te.a.so.bɯ/

Meaning

To play with; to toy with; to trifle with; to treat someone or something without due seriousness or respect.

A Group 1 (godan) verb. Literally describes playing with an object idly. Figuratively — and more commonly at N1 level — it means to toy with a person's feelings or treat something important frivolously. Carries a strongly negative, critical tone suggesting contempt or lack of moral consideration.

Examples

1. 人の感情を弄ぶような行為は許されない。 Toying with people's emotions is unforgivable.
2. 彼女は退屈しのぎに男性の気持ちを弄んでいた。 She was trifling with men's feelings just to kill her boredom.
3. 彼は人の心を弄んだ末に全ての信頼を失った。 After toying with people's hearts, he ended up losing everyone's trust.

Usage Guide

Context: relationships, ethics, criticism, literature

Tone: critical

Origin & History

From もてる (to handle, possess) combined with 遊ぶ (to play). The combination creates the sense of handling something as if it were a plaything. The kanji 弄 (to tinker with, to tease) reinforces this meaning.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal