fiddling
word · lemma: fiddle
Definition
Moving or touching something, usually with your fingers, often in a restless or aimless way. Can also refer to wasting time on minor details or small tasks.
Usage & Nuances
Informal. Common in phrases like 'fiddling with' (tinkering, adjusting). Can be used negatively for wasting time or focusing on unimportant things. Not to be confused with 'fiddle' (the violin).
Spanish: trasteando - manipulando (con las manos)Portuguese (BR): mexendo - mexericandoPortuguese (PT): mexer - mexendo (com as mãos)Chinese (Simplified): 摆弄 - 弄来弄去Chinese (Traditional): 擺弄 - 搗鼓Hindi: उंगलियों से छेड़ना - बार-बार छूनाArabic: العبث - التلاعب (باليد)Bengali: বাজানো - অকারণে সময় নষ্ট করাRussian: возиться - бездельничатьJapanese: いじる - 無駄なことをするVietnamese: nghịch - lãng phí thời gian vào chuyện nhỏKorean: 만지작거리다 - 사소한 일에 시간을 낭비하다Turkish: kurcalamak - önemsiz ayrıntılarla uğraşmakUrdu: چھیڑنا - غیرضروری تفصیلات میں وقت ضائع کرناIndonesian: mengutak-atik - menghabiskan waktu dengan hal kecil
Example Sentences
Stop fiddling with your pen during class.
basic
She was fiddling with her hair in the mirror.
basic
He spent hours fiddling with the old radio.
basic
He kept fiddling with the remote, trying to fix the volume.
natural
I'm tired of fiddling with these settings. Let's call tech support.
natural
We wasted too much time fiddling with details instead of making decisions.
natural