弄ぶ
弄ぶ · godan verb (-bu)
| Form | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | 弄ぶ | 弄ばない |
| Polite | 弄びます | 弄びません |
| Past polite | 弄びました | 弄びませんでした |
| Past | 弄んだ | 弄ばなかった |
| Te-form | 弄んで | 弄ばないで |
| Desire | 弄びたい | 弄びたくない |
| Potential | 弄べる | 弄べない |
| Passive | 弄ばれる | 弄ばれない |
| Causative | 弄ばせる | 弄ばせない |
| Causative passive | 弄ばせられるalso 弄ばされる | 弄ばせられないalso 弄ばされない |
| Volitional | 弄ぼう | |
| Polite volitional | 弄びましょう | |
| Imperative | 弄べ | 弄ぶな |
| Conditional | 弄べば | 弄ばなければ |
| Tara conditional | 弄んだら | 弄ばなかったら |
Meanings
godan verb (-bu), transitive verb
Physical manipulation of an object for amusement or absent-mindedness, such as a toy, one's hair, or a small item.
He listened to the talk while fiddling with a pen.
The cat is playing with a ball of yarn.
godan verb (-bu), transitive verb
toy with; trifle with
Treating a person's feelings or affections carelessly, often with a nuance of cruelty or manipulation.
He toyed with her feelings.
Don't trifle with people's goodwill.
godan verb (-bu), transitive verb
do as one pleases with; treat as a plaything
Using something or someone freely for one's own amusement or convenience, often implying a lack of respect.
Those in power must not treat the people as playthings.
godan verb (-bu), transitive verb
Rare, somewhat literary use for savoring or taking pleasure in something, such as art or nature.
His hobby is appreciating antiques.
Usage patterns
- 〈物〉を弄ぶto fiddle with or idly play with an object
He idly fiddled with the pen in his hand while thinking.
- 〈人〉の心を弄ぶto toy with someone's heart or feelings
He has toyed with the feelings of many women.
- 運命に弄ばれるto be toyed with by fate; to be at the mercy of fate
His life seems to have been toyed with by fate.
- 権力を弄ぶto treat power carelessly, using it for one's own amusement or convenience
The politician behaved as if he were toying with his power.