das Herumspielen
Translation
playing around, fiddling, messing about, tinkering
Examples
Das Herumspielen mit dem Feuer ist gefährlich.
Playing around with fire is dangerous.
Sein Herumspielen am Computer nervt mich.
His messing about on the computer annoys me.
Grammar Patterns
das Herumspielen ((with sth.)) playing around with sth. The playing around with the settings caused a problem.
Similar Words
die Spielerei (gimmickry), die Tändelei (dalliance)
Etymology
From 'herum' (around) + 'spielen' (to play). Literally 'playing around'.
Memory Tips
Imagine someone 'playing' (spielen) 'around' (herum) with an object, just fiddling with it.