操控 is a verb meaning 'to manipulate' (often with negative connotations, such as controlling people or situations covertly) or 'to operate' (especially machinery, devices, or systems). The first character 操 (cāo) means 'to handle' or 'to manage', and the second 控 (kòng) means 'to control' or 'to restrain'. Together, they emphasize deliberate, often skillful or forceful direction — whether of physical equipment (e.g., drones, robots) or abstract entities (e.g., public opinion, markets). It implies agency and intentionality, and in social or political contexts, it frequently carries a critical tone.

This word appears commonly in technology, media, politics, and psychology discussions. In technical usage, it’s neutral: e.g., operating a remote-controlled vehicle. In human-centered contexts, it often suggests undue influence — such as manipulating emotions or distorting facts. Unlike the more neutral 操作 (cāozuò, 'to operate'), 操控 emphasizes control over outcomes, sometimes at the expense of autonomy or transparency.