to restrain / move
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to restrain oneself
To control oneself and keep one’s emotions, impulses, or behavior under control.
Obwohl er sehr wütend war, konnte er sich gerade noch zügeln und blieb ruhig.
Although he was very angry, he just managed to restrain himself and stayed calm.
The verb “zügeln” (to restrain) is derived from the noun “der Zügel” (rein). Reins are the straps used to steer and control a horse. This idea of control is transferred to feelings and behavior.
Ein guter Reiter kann sein Pferd mit feinen Zügelhilfen lenken.
A good rider can steer his horse with subtle rein aids.
You can recognize the meaning from the sentence structure. “Sich zügeln” (to restrain oneself) is reflexive and means self-control. “Etwas zügeln” (to restrain something) needs an object, such as feelings. Without an object and with place information, it means “umziehen” (to move house).
Er musste sich zügeln, um nicht laut zu lachen.
He had to restrain himself so as not to laugh out loud.
When it is about self-control, the verb is always used reflexively. The reflexive pronoun (mich, dich, sich, etc.) must match the subject of the sentence.
Bitte zügelt euch, auch wenn ihr anderer Meinung seid.
Please restrain yourselves, even if you disagree.
In the meaning “to control something,” “zügeln” (to restrain) is often combined with emotions or impulses. Typical phrases are: “seinen Appetit zügeln” (to restrain one’s appetite), “seine Wut zügeln” (to restrain one’s anger), or “seine Ausgaben zügeln” (to curb one’s spending).
Im Moment versuche ich, meinen Appetit auf Süßigkeiten zu zügeln.
At the moment, I’m trying to restrain my appetite for sweets.
The meaning “umziehen” (to move house) is used almost exclusively in Switzerland and partly in southern Germany. In other parts of the German-speaking world, it is not understood.
Meine Cousine ist vor einem Jahr von Deutschland in die Schweiz gezügelt.
My cousin moved from Germany to Switzerland a year ago.
to check / control
'kontrollieren' and 'zügeln' can both mean that you do not let something run free, but keep it under control. 'kontrollieren' is very general and can also sound factual or neutral. You can control a situation or control yourself. 'zügeln' means more like 'to moderate' or 'to restrain'. It fits especially with feelings, wishes, impulses, or behavior, for example anger, curiosity, or spending. Learners may confuse the words because both can be used for self-control. 'Ich kontrolliere mich' says that I am controlling myself. 'Ich zügle mich' emphasizes more strongly that I am holding back an impulse.
Nach der Arbeit muss er seine Neugier zügeln und nicht sofort nachfragen.
After work, he has to restrain his curiosity and not ask right away.
Im Büro kontrolliert sie sich, obwohl sie sehr verärgert ist.
At the office, she controls herself even though she is very upset.