operate

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 操 has 16 strokes and the on-reading そう. 操る (あやつる) means to control or use skillfully; 操縦 (そうじゅう) concerns piloting or steering a vehicle.
• Basic usage: 操る is used for moving puppets or using languages. 操縦 concerns controlling the movement of aircraft or ships.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• What is controlled or used
  • 人形を巧みに操る means skillfully controlling a puppet. 言語を自在に操って means using languages fluently and freely.
  • 飛行機の操縦 means piloting an aircraft. In 狭い水路を慎重に操縦する, the captain steers the ship, while 水路 identifies the route traveled.