弄ぶ（もてあそぶ）Conjugation
JLPT N1 · Godan verb (Group 1) · Meaning: to toy with / play with
Full conjugation table
| Form | Japanese | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary form The base form — casual speech and the stem for many grammar patterns. | 弄ぶ | もてあそぶ |
| masu (polite present) Polite present/future affirmative. | 弄びます | もてあそびます |
| masen (polite negative) Polite present negative. | 弄びません | もてあそびません |
| mashita (polite past) Polite past affirmative. | 弄びました | もてあそびました |
| masen deshita (polite past neg.) Polite past negative. | 弄びませんでした | もてあそびませんでした |
| te-form The most versatile form — linking, requests, progressive and more. | 弄んで | もてあそんで |
| ta (plain past) Plain past affirmative. | 弄んだ | もてあそんだ |
| nai (plain negative) Plain present negative. | 弄ばない | もてあそばない |
| nakatta (plain past neg.) Plain past negative. | 弄ばなかった | もてあそばなかった |
| Potential Ability or possibility — 'can do'. | 弄べる | もてあそべる |
| Passive Passive voice — 'to be done to'. | 弄ばれる | もてあそばれる |
| Causative Causative — 'to make/let someone do'. | 弄ばせる | もてあそばせる |
| Volitional Volitional — 'let's…' or intention. | 弄ぼう | もてあそぼう |
| Imperative Imperative — a strong command; used sparingly. | 弄べ | もてあそべ |
| Prohibitive Prohibitive — 'don't do it!'. | 弄ぶな | もてあそぶな |
| Conditional (ba) Hypothetical 'if' — leans written. | 弄べば | もてあそべば |
| Conditional (tara) The most versatile everyday 'if / when'. | 弄んだら | もてあそんだら |
Example sentences
- 人の気持ちを弄んではいけない。 — You mustn't toy with someone's feelings.
- 運命に弄ばれても負けない。 — Even toyed with by fate, I won't give in.