In 15 Seconds
- Means both to verify details and to exercise power over something.
- Used for checking tickets, homework, or controlling one's own emotions.
- Central to the German cultural value of precision and thoroughness.
Meaning
In German, this word is a double-threat. It means both to verify something is correct (like checking your tickets) and to have power or authority over something (like controlling a machine).
Key Examples
3 of 6At the airport security
Der Beamte muss meinen Reisepass kontrollieren.
The officer must check my passport.
Talking to a friend about a project
Kannst du bitte meine Hausaufgaben kontrollieren?
Can you please check my homework?
In a stressful business meeting
Wir müssen die Situation unter Kontrolle bringen.
We must bring the situation under control.
Cultural Background
The 'Kontrolleur' on the U-Bahn often wears civilian clothes to catch 'Schwarzfahrer' (fare dodgers). This leads to a specific kind of social tension when someone suddenly reveals their ID badge. Control and precision are highly valued in Swiss watchmaking and banking. 'Kontrollieren' here implies a level of perfectionism. In Vienna, the term 'Schwarzkappler' is used for ticket inspectors, referring to their historical black caps, though they rarely wear them now. 'Controlling' is a specific job title in German companies, focusing on financial planning and monitoring, distinct from 'Accounting'.
The '-ieren' Rule
Remember that all German verbs ending in '-ieren' (like studieren, telefonieren, kontrollieren) never take 'ge-' in the past participle.
False Friend Alert
Don't assume 'kontrollieren' always means 'to have power over'. 80% of the time in daily life, it just means 'to check'.
In 15 Seconds
- Means both to verify details and to exercise power over something.
- Used for checking tickets, homework, or controlling one's own emotions.
- Central to the German cultural value of precision and thoroughness.
What It Means
Kontrollieren is your go-to word for checking facts or inspecting items. Think of it as 'double-checking' your work or 'verifying' a passport. It also carries the weight of management. If you control a situation, you kontrollieren it. It is more active than just looking. It implies an assessment is happening.
How To Use It
You use it just like the English verb. It follows standard weak verb conjugation. Use it when you are looking for errors. Use it when you are ensuring rules are followed. It works perfectly for homework, bank statements, or luggage. You can also use it for emotions. If you stay calm, you kontrollieren your feelings. It is a very versatile and sturdy verb.
When To Use It
Use it at the airport when the officer asks for your ID. Use it at work when a colleague asks you to proofread an email. Use it at home when you check if the stove is off. It is perfect for professional settings. It is also great for daily chores. If you are a gamer, you kontrollieren your character. It fits anywhere where 'checking' or 'dominating' is the goal.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for 'checking out' a cool new cafe. For that, use auschecken or anschauen. Do not use it for 'checking in' at a hotel. That is einchecken. Avoid it when you mean 'to monitor' over a long period. In those cases, überwachen might be better. It is not for 'checking' a box on a list. Use abhaken for that. Don't use it to mean 'checking up' on a friend's health.
Cultural Background
Germans have a reputation for being thorough. This word is the heart of that stereotype. There is a famous saying: 'Vertrauen ist gut, Kontrolle ist besser.' This means 'Trust is good, control is better.' It reflects a cultural preference for certainty. In Germany, ticket inspectors on trains are called Kontrolleure. They don't just 'check' tickets; they perform a Kontrolle. It is a word that commands a bit of respect and sometimes a little fear if you forgot your pass!
Common Variations
The noun form is die Kontrolle. You can 'have' it (unter Kontrolle haben) or 'lose' it (die Kontrolle verlieren). Another common version is nachkontrollieren. This means to check something one more time just to be absolutely sure. You might also hear überprüfen. This is a close cousin that means 'to review' or 'to audit.'
Usage Notes
Be careful not to sound too aggressive. In personal relationships, 'kontrollieren' can imply a lack of trust. In professional settings, it is the standard word for quality assurance.
The '-ieren' Rule
Remember that all German verbs ending in '-ieren' (like studieren, telefonieren, kontrollieren) never take 'ge-' in the past participle.
False Friend Alert
Don't assume 'kontrollieren' always means 'to have power over'. 80% of the time in daily life, it just means 'to check'.
Compound Nouns
You can attach 'Kontrolle' to almost any noun to create a 'check' word: Passkontrolle, Ticketkontrolle, Qualitätskontrolle.
The Conductor
If you hear 'Die Fahrscheine bitte!', that is the 'Fahrkartenkontrolle'. Have your ticket ready!
Examples
6Der Beamte muss meinen Reisepass kontrollieren.
The officer must check my passport.
Standard use for official verification.
Kannst du bitte meine Hausaufgaben kontrollieren?
Can you please check my homework?
Asking for a quick review or proofread.
Wir müssen die Situation unter Kontrolle bringen.
We must bring the situation under control.
Using the noun form to express management of a crisis.
Hast du kontrolliert, ob das Licht aus ist?
Did you check if the light is off?
Common household usage for safety checks.
Ich kann meinen Hund heute gar nicht kontrollieren!
I can't control my dog at all today!
Humorous use regarding a lack of authority over a pet.
Es ist schwer, seine Wut zu kontrollieren.
It is hard to control one's anger.
Refers to emotional self-regulation.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'kontrollieren' in the Perfekt tense.
Hast du {die|f} E-Mails schon _______?
Verbs ending in -ieren do not take 'ge-' in the Perfekt.
Which sentence uses 'kontrollieren' correctly?
Select the correct usage:
A teacher checking tests is a standard use of 'kontrollieren'.
Match the noun with the typical 'Kontrolle' context.
Match them up:
These are standard collocations for 'Kontrolle'.
Complete the dialogue at the airport.
Beamter: 'Guten Tag. Ich muss Ihren Pass _______.'
Passport control is a formal inspection.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Kontrollieren vs. Steuern
Practice Bank
4 exercisesHast du {die|f} E-Mails schon _______?
Verbs ending in -ieren do not take 'ge-' in the Perfekt.
Select the correct usage:
A teacher checking tests is a standard use of 'kontrollieren'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are standard collocations for 'Kontrolle'.
Beamter: 'Guten Tag. Ich muss Ihren Pass _______.'
Passport control is a formal inspection.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsMostly, yes. 'Checken' is very informal and borrowed from English, while 'kontrollieren' is neutral and standard.
No, use 'steuern' or 'fahren'. 'Kontrollieren' would mean you are inspecting the car's engine.
This is a rule for all German verbs ending in '-ieren'. They are of foreign origin and follow this specific pattern.
Yes, it sounds very possessive and controlling, just like in English.
'Überprüfen' is often more thorough, like an audit or a deep check. 'Kontrollieren' can be a quick verification.
No, for looking at someone you find attractive, use 'abchecken' (slang) or 'mustern'.
Yes, for example, 'den Ball kontrollieren' (to control the ball).
You say 'außer Kontrolle'.
It is a common role in transport and security, but usually not a full-time job title on its own.
For ticking a box, use 'ankreuzen'. For checking if it's ticked, use 'kontrollieren'.
Related Phrases
unter Kontrolle haben
similarto have something under control
außer Kontrolle geraten
contrastto get out of control
die Kontrolle verlieren
contrastto lose control
etwas überprüfen
synonymto check/verify something
Selbstkontrolle
specialized formself-control
