supervision / authority
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supervision
The monitoring of people, activities, or places to ensure that rules are followed and everything runs properly.
Während der Prüfung müssen die Schüler unter ständiger Aufsicht stehen.
During the exam, the students must be under constant supervision.
supervisory authority
A person or institution responsible for monitoring and controlling a specific area.
Die Banken stehen unter der strengen Aufsicht der Finanzbehörde.
The banks are under the strict supervision of the financial authority.
The word is made up of 'auf' (on/over) and 'Sicht' (view). The literal idea is that you have a 'Sicht' of something, meaning you keep an eye on something or someone and monitor it.
Von diesem Turm aus hat man eine gute Sicht über die ganze Stadt.
From this tower, you have a good view over the whole city.
Fixed expressions are often used for the activity of monitoring: 'Aufsicht führen' (to supervise actively) or 'unter Aufsicht stehen' (to be under supervision).
In der Pause führen zwei Lehrer auf dem Schulhof Aufsicht.
During the break, two teachers supervise the schoolyard.
When you want to say what someone has control over, you use the preposition 'über' (over) with the accusative.
Der Projektleiter hat die Aufsicht über das gesamte Team.
The project manager has supervision over the entire team.
When 'Aufsicht' (supervision/supervisory authority) refers to a person or institution, it is often part of a compound word, e.g. 'Finanzaufsicht' (financial supervisory authority), 'Aufsichtsbehörde' (supervisory authority), or it acts as the subject in the sentence.
Die Europäische Bankenaufsicht hat neue Regeln erlassen.
The European Banking Authority has issued new rules.
control / check
Aufsicht refers to the continuous, responsible observation of people or activities. Kontrolle tends to mean actively checking whether everything is correct or safe. Aufsicht is therefore appropriate for ongoing supervision, while Kontrolle is usually more precise for a single or repeated check.
Während des Ausflugs bleiben die Kinder unter der Aufsicht der Lehrerin.
During the outing, the children remain under the teacher’s supervision.
Vor dem Ausflug prüft die Lehrerin bei einer Kontrolle, ob alle Kinder angeschnallt sind.
Before the outing, the teacher checks whether all the children are buckled in.
