The act of operating or handling machines, devices, or software; controlling something by following procedures or using controls.
コンピューターの基本的な操作を学んだ。
I learned the basic operations of a computer.
この機械は操作が簡単で、誰でも扱える。
This machine is easy to operate and anyone can use it.
リモコンを操作してテレビの音量を上げた。
I operated the remote control and turned up the TV volume.
Manipulating people, information, or situations for one's own advantage; often used negatively to imply improper influence or tampering.
彼は世論を操作して選挙の結果を左右しようとしたと疑われている。
He is suspected of trying to manipulate public opinion to influence the election result.
データを操作して成績をよく見せたことが発覚した。
It was revealed that someone had manipulated the data to make the results look better.
企業が価格を操作していたことが問題になった。
It became a problem that the company had been manipulating prices.