steering wheel / helm
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steering wheel / helm
A device used to steer a vehicle such as a car, ship, or airplane. It is usually a wheel (steering wheel) or a lever (rudder/tiller).
Der Kapitän übergab dem ersten Offizier das Steuer des Schiffes.
The captain handed the ship's helm over to the first officer.
The noun 'Steuer' exists with two different articles that have completely different meanings. With the article 'das', it always means the steering device of a vehicle or the figurative control over something.
Der neue Kapitän hat jetzt das Steuer in der Hand.
The new captain now has the helm in his hands.
Both in the literal and figurative meanings, 'das Steuer' is often used in fixed expressions. Typical phrases are 'am Steuer sein/sitzen' (to be/sit at the wheel) and 'das Steuer übernehmen' (to take the wheel / take the helm / take control).
Wer saß zum Zeitpunkt des Unfalls am Steuer?
Who was behind the wheel at the time of the accident?
To express position or movement in relation to the steering wheel, different prepositions and cases are used. The position is 'am Steuer' (dative), and the movement toward it is 'ans Steuer' (accusative).
Er saß über zehn Stunden ohne Pause am Steuer.
He sat behind the wheel for over ten hours without a break.
control / check
'die Kontrolle' and 'das Steuer' can both have to do with leadership or direction. 'Kontrolle' directly names the power or ability to steer or control something. 'Das Steuer' actually means a part of a vehicle, but it is used figuratively in fixed expressions, for example 'das Steuer übernehmen' (to take the helm / take control). Then it means that someone takes over leadership or responsibility. The words can be confused because they seem similar in such situations. 'Kontrolle' fits generally when saying who controls or directs something. 'Das Steuer' sounds more figurative and fits especially in expressions with 'übernehmen', 'halten', or 'am Steuer sein'.
Nach dem Streit übernahm Herr Kaya das Steuer und ordnete die Aufgaben neu.
After the argument, Mr. Kaya took the helm and reorganized the tasks.
Bei dem schwierigen Projekt behielt Anna die Kontrolle über die Kosten.
In the difficult project, Anna kept control of the costs.