This site will be taken down March 31st, 2026.

This was not an easy decision to make. For the last couple years, I have been struggling to find motivation for this site and to keep up with basic maintenance and security updates. With the rise of AI and more sophisticated tools, the usefulness of sites like this is questionable and traffic has nose-dived. I just don't have it in me to keep doing this. Thank you all for 10 years of support!

Zach

弄ぶ

玩ぶ、 翫ぶ、 もて遊ぶ

Reading

Kana: もてあそぶ
Romaji: moteasobu
Kana
Romaji

Definitions

v5b
vt
1

to play with (a toy, one's hair, etc.); to fiddle with

2

to toy with (one's emotions, etc.); to trifle with

3

to do with something as one pleases

4

to appreciate

Kanji

Readings: ロウ、 ル、 いじく.る、 ろう.する、 いじ.る、 ひねく.る、 たわむ.れる、 もてあそ.ぶ
Meanings: play with, tamper, trifle with
Readings: ガン、 もちあそ.ぶ、 もてあそ.ぶ
Meanings: play, take pleasure in, trifle with, make sport of
Readings: ガン、 もてあそ.ぶ
Meanings: take pleasure in, play instrument
Readings: ユウ、 ユ、 あそ.ぶ、 あそ.ばす
Meaning: play

Example Sentences

彼女(かのじょ)愛情(あいじょう)をもて(あそ)ぶな。
➥Don't toy with her affections.
Full Entry➤
ジョンはディックを、もてあそんだ。
➥John played cat and mouse with Dick.
Full Entry➤
(わたし)数奇(すうき)運命(うんめい)にもてあそばれてきた。
➥I have lived a life of a puppet of fortune.
Full Entry➤
(ふね)(なみ)にもてあそばれていた。
➥The ship was at the mercy of the waves.
Full Entry➤
(ねこ)()きたネズミをもて(あそ)んでいた。
➥The cat was playing with a live mouse.
Full Entry➤
あなたは(かれ)気持(きも)ちを(もてあそ)んではいけない。
➥You should not trifle with his feelings.
Full Entry➤
Find More