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.
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
'die Kontrolle' and 'die Aufsicht' are closely related because both involve checking whether everything is running properly. 'Kontrolle' can be a specific check or inspection, or it can mean that someone has control over something. 'Aufsicht' usually means that a person or authority supervises people, places, or activities so that rules are followed. The words are easy to confuse because someone providing supervision also checks things. 'Aufsicht' is especially natural in school, exams, swimming pools, or work contexts, when someone is watching responsibly. 'Kontrolle' fits better when something is being checked in a targeted way or when someone has something under control.
Während der Prüfung darf niemand ohne Erlaubnis mit der Aufsicht sprechen.
During the exam, no one may speak to the supervisor without permission.
Bei der Kontrolle der Hausaufgaben fand die Lehrerin mehrere Fehler.
During the homework check, the teacher found several mistakes.