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.
control
In a figurative sense, control, leadership, or management of an organization, project, or situation. Often used in expressions like 'das Steuer übernehmen' (to take the helm / take control) or 'am Steuer sein' (to be at the helm / be in control).
Nach der Krise musste eine neue Geschäftsführerin das Steuer der Firma übernehmen.
After the crisis, a new managing director had to take control of the company.
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.
rudder / oar
Steuer and Ruder can figuratively refer to leading an organization. Ruder is especially common in the fixed expression „das Ruder übernehmen“; Steuer is also used for control and leadership and often suggests more strongly the active act of steering.
Nach dem Rücktritt des Direktors übernahm seine Stellvertreterin das Steuer.
After the director resigned, her deputy took the helm.
Nach dem Rücktritt des Direktors übernahm seine Stellvertreterin das Ruder.
After the director resigned, her deputy took the helm.
