die Kontrolle
check / inspection
The act of checking whether something is correct, safe, or in order.
EXAMPLE
Bei der Ticketkontrolle musste ich meinen Ausweis zeigen.
During the ticket check, I had to show my ID.
die Kontrolle
control / check
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Meanings
die Kontrolle
control
The power or ability to control, steer, or direct something or someone.
EXAMPLE
Der Pilot verlor kurz die Kontrolle über das Flugzeug.
The pilot briefly lost control of the airplane.
die Kontrolle
checkpoint / control
A place where people or things are checked, for example at a border or an airport.
EXAMPLE
Am Flughafen mussten wir durch die Sicherheitskontrolle.
At the airport, we had to go through security control.
Usage tips
False friend
'Die Kontrolle' very often means 'check' or 'inspection', not only 'power' or 'steering' like the English word 'control'. This difference is a common source of mistakes.
EXAMPLE
Die Polizei führte eine allgemeine Verkehrskontrolle durch.
The police carried out a general traffic check.
Word family
'Die Kontrolle' (control/check) is the noun corresponding to the verb 'kontrollieren' (to check/control). If you know the verb, you can often derive the meaning of the noun.
EXAMPLE
Der Lehrer kontrolliert die Hausaufgaben.
The teacher checks the homework.
Typical collocations
In the sense of 'Überprüfung' (check/inspection), 'Kontrolle' is often used in compound words like 'Passkontrolle' (passport control), 'Fahrkartenkontrolle' (ticket inspection), or 'Qualitätskontrolle' (quality control). A typical phrase is 'eine Kontrolle durchführen' (to carry out a check).
EXAMPLE
Bei der Qualitätskontrolle wurde ein Fehler entdeckt.
During quality control, an error was discovered.
Fixed expressions
When it is about control or mastery, there are fixed expressions like 'die Kontrolle verlieren' (to lose control), 'die Kontrolle behalten' (to maintain control), or 'etwas unter Kontrolle bringen' (to bring something under control).
EXAMPLE
Als die Bremsen versagten, verlor der Fahrer die Kontrolle über den Wagen.
When the brakes failed, the driver lost control of the car.
Use with prepositions
When 'Kontrolle' refers to a place, local prepositions are often used. You wait 'an der Kontrolle' (at the control/checkpoint) or go 'durch die Kontrolle' (through control/security).
EXAMPLE
Wir mussten an der Grenzkontrolle lange warten.
We had to wait a long time at the border checkpoint.
Compare with
GewaltLeitungPrüfungGriffHerrschaftÜberwachungCheckProbeÜberprüfungSteuerungAufsichtInspektionControllingOberhandDurchsuchungMonitoringBeherrschungLenkungEindämmung
Kontrolle vs Gewalt
violence / authority / force
Gewalt appears in the fixed expression „sich in der Gewalt haben“ when someone controls their feelings and reactions. Kontrolle, by contrast, is usually used with „über“ or in expressions such as „die Kontrolle behalten“. In this context, both can express self-control.
Kontrolle
Trotz der Beleidigung behielt Lea die Kontrolle über ihre Gefühle.
Despite the insult, Lea kept control of her feelings.
Gewalt
Trotz der Beleidigung hatte Lea sich in der Gewalt.
Despite the insult, Lea kept herself under control.
In real life
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