操纵
cāozòng · HSK 6
operate
🎮 操 = handle/grip + 纵 = let loose; together: to handle and direct, i.e. manipulate
操 carries the sense of grasping or handling (as in 操作 operate), and 纵 means to release or give rein to. Combined, 操纵 covers steering a machine, controlling a situation, or rigging an outcome behind the scenes.