操 means “operate, manipulate”

そう · sou

Also: maneuver, steer

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

みさお, あやつる

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

ソウ, サン

JLPT N1 · Taught in grade 6 · 16 strokes

The story

A hand (扌) beside three mouths (品) on a tree (木): picture a puppeteer making a row of birds chatter on a branch. 操る is to work the strings, 操作 is operating a machine, and ラジオ体操 is the radio exercise routine Japan stretches to each morning.

Used in 操作 (sousa, operation), 体操 (taisou, exercises/gymnastics), and 操る (ayatsuru, to manipulate)

More from Plans & Leadership

• 託 entrust
• 宰 preside
• 轄 control
• 摂 take in
• 吏 official
• 統 unify
• 案 plan
• 策 policy
• 提 propose
• 企 plan
• 施 carry out
• 監 oversee

Learn 操 and more kanji free on Fuji Learning · All kanji

Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.