あしらう

あ

し

ら

う

Freq.FrequencyTop 20,000

Meanings

1

godan verb (-u), transitive verb

treat; handle; deal with

usually written using kana alone

Only when written 遇う

Used for how one interacts with or manages a person, situation, or object, often implying a certain attitude or manner.

彼かれは難むずかしい客きゃくを上手じょうずにあしらった。
He handled the difficult customer skillfully.

彼かの女じょはどんな質しつ問もんにも冷れい静せいにあしらう。

She deals with any question calmly.

2

godan verb (-u), transitive verb

arrange; decorate; adorn; dress; garnish

usually written using kana alone

Only when written 配う

Used for arranging or decorating something, often with a creative or aesthetic touch. Common in contexts like food presentation, floral arrangement, or dressing up an object.

料りょう理りを彩いろどりよくあしらう。
Arrange the dish with colorful garnishes.
彼かの女じょはテーブルを花はなであしらった。
She decorated the table with flowers.

Written forms

あしらうUsage100%
Usually written in kana; the kanji forms 遇う and 配う are rare and not in common use.
遇あしらう
Rare kanji form restricted to the 'treat/handle' sense.
配あしらう
Rare kanji form restricted to the 'arrange/decorate' sense.

Kanji

遇meet, encounter, interview
配distribute, spouse, exile

Similar words

扱あつかう
扱う is more about physically handling or dealing with things in a practical sense, while あしらう often implies a more nuanced, sometimes artful or interpersonal handling.
飾かざる
飾る is the general word for decorating, while あしらう in the decorating sense often suggests a more subtle or tasteful arrangement, sometimes with a creative flair.

Etymology

The origin is uncertain. It may be related to the classical verb あしらふ, but the exact derivation is unclear.