Japanese

もてあそぶ
Meaning: to play with; to toy with; to trifle with
Part of Speech: Verb

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Verb inflections

Form Affirmative Negative
Present 弄ぶ 弄ばない
Polite 弄びます 弄びません
Past 弄んだ 弄ばなかった
Polite + Past 弄びました 弄びませんでした
Te-form 弄んで 弄ばなくて
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 弄ばされる 弄ばされない
Imperative 弄べ 弄ぶな

Handwriting

弄
ぶ

Example sentences

Playing with the pure feelings of others is something that can never be forgiven.
彼女は小悪魔的な微笑みで、男たちの心を弄んでいる。
She plays with men's hearts with her coquettish smile.

Usage Notes

Often used in a negative sense, meaning to handle someone's emotions or a serious matter as if it were a toy or a joke.

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