How to say "manipulate" in Japanese

• マニピュレイト
  nounA katakana borrowing of the English word itself; it can cover any sense of 'manipulate', but it is less common, and for people or things the native verbs are usually the better choice.
• 踊らすおどらす
  godan verb, transitive verbFor manipulating a person — making them dance to one's tune, leading them astray. The shorter form of the pair, it carries the same image of toying with someone and steering them at will.
• 踊らせるおどらせる
  ichidan verb, transitive verbThe fuller form of the pair, with the same meaning: to manipulate someone, making them dance to one's tune or leading them astray — for when the object is a person, not a thing.
• 使うつかうJLPT N5approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbThe common verb 'to use': handling or managing a thing, and also using a person, animal, or puppet for one's own ends. For 'manipulate' meaning simply 'use' or 'handle', this is the word.
  アジア諸国しょこくなどから出稼でかせぎにきた外国人がいこくじんをメイドとして使つかうのが常識じょうしきのようになっている。↗

  It has become common practise to employ foreigners working abroad from Asian countries as maids.

For manipulating a person — making them dance to your tune — use 「踊らせる」 or 「踊らす」; for using or handling a person, animal, or puppet, the common word is 「使う」; 「マニピュレイト」 is the borrowed English word itself, less common.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• マニピュレイトmanipulate
• 踊らすおどらすto manipulate (someone)
• 踊らせるおどらせるto manipulate (someone)
• 使うつかうto use (a person, animal, puppet, etc.)
• 操るあやつるto manipulate (a person, public opinion, etc.)