maneuver, manipulate, operate, steer, chastity, virginity, fidelity
操 centers on skilled control: maneuvering, manipulating, or operating something with your hands. The chastity and fidelity senses extend this idea to controlling one's own conduct and staying true to a commitment.
操 combines 扌 (hand) with 喿, which likely contributes the sound and relates to the idea of handling or controlling. The exact historical development of 喿 is uncertain.
The hand radical 扌 beside the complex 喿 suggests a hand skillfully managing something intricate. Picture a puppeteer's hand manipulating strings to steer a marionette.
For ソウ, imagine a skilled operator sewing intricate patterns while maneuvering fabric: sew -> ソウ, and the hand 扌 guides every stitch.
operation; management; handling
gymnastics; physical exercises
steering; piloting; flying; control; operation; handling
to operate (e.g. a machine); to handle; to manage; to control; to maneuver; to steer
manipulation; puppet
fidelity; honour; honor; constancy
operation (of a machine, factory, fishing boat, etc.); work
chastity; virtue; fidelity
steering (of a boat); steerage
rhythmic gymnastics
integrity; fidelity; constancy; principle; faithfulness; honor; honour
steering a ship; controlling; maneuvering; piloting
sensibility (artistic, moral); (good) taste; sentiment
incorrect operation; wrong handling
operation (of trains)
steering a warship
apparatus gymnastics; artistic gymnastics
Kegel exercises
(systems management) operation
symbol manipulation