Definition
操纵 (cāo zòng) has two senses: neutral 'operate (a machine)' and, more commonly, negative 'manipulate/rig (elections, markets, consumers)'. Unlike 操作 (cāo zuò), which is strictly neutral 'operate equipment/software', 操纵 implies strategic, behind-the-scenes control. For the negative sense it overlaps with 操控 (cāo kòng), but 操纵 is broader and more versatile.
verb
to operateto control (a machine, device, system)to manipulateto rig (a market, election, situation, etc.)
Examples
- 操纵。Tā shúliàn de cāo zòng zhe zhè tái xīn jīqì.He skillfully operates this new machine.
- 操纵。Dà gōngsī jīngcháng lìyòng guǎnggào cāo zòng xiāofèizhě de xuǎnzé.Big companies often use advertising to manipulate consumers' choices.
- 操纵。Yǒurén shìtú cāo zòng zhè cì xuǎnjǔ de jiéguǒ.Someone tried to rig the outcome of this election.
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