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A2 verb #2,000 most common 7 min read

controlar

Top 2,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips controlar in 30 Seconds

Explanation controlar in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'controlar' is introduced in its most basic physical and technological senses. Students learn to use it with simple objects like a television remote (o controle remoto) or a video game character. The focus is on direct action: 'Eu controlo o rádio'. At this stage, the word is treated as a simple regular verb. Learners are taught that it means to make something do what you want. It is often paired with nouns like 'volume', 'luz', or 'carro'. The goal is to establish the fundamental concept of agency over objects. Explanations are kept simple, avoiding complex abstract uses like economic control or emotional regulation. Teachers might use visual aids, showing someone using a remote to explain the word. The conjugation is limited to the present indicative: 'Eu controlo', 'Você controla'.

At the A2 level, the meaning of 'controlar' expands to include personal management and simple social situations. Students learn to talk about 'controlar o tempo' (managing time) or 'controlar o dinheiro' (managing money). This level introduces the reflexive form 'controlar-se' in basic contexts, such as staying calm. The concept of 'monitoring' starts to appear, such as 'controlar o peso' (monitoring weight). Learners are expected to use the verb in the past tense (Pretérito Perfeito) to describe actions they completed, like 'Eu controlei a situação'. The vocabulary becomes more functional, allowing students to describe their daily routines and responsibilities. It is also the level where the distinction between 'controlar' and 'checar' (to check) begins to be clarified to prevent common cognate errors.

At the B1 level, 'controlar' moves into the realm of emotions and intermediate professional contexts. Students are expected to discuss 'controlar as emoções' (controlling emotions) and 'controlar o estresse' (controlling stress). The word is used in more complex sentence structures, including the subjunctive mood: 'É importante que você controle seus gastos'. In a professional setting, B1 learners use 'controlar' to describe oversight and quality management. They begin to understand the nuance of 'controlar' as 'to supervise' or 'to keep within limits'. The focus shifts from physical objects to abstract concepts like 'controlar a situação' or 'controlar o progresso de um projeto'. Learners also start to encounter the word in news articles about local events or health, such as 'controlar uma doença'.

At the B2 level, 'controlar' is used to discuss systemic and societal issues. This includes 'controlar a inflação', 'controlar a imigração', or 'controlar o mercado'. Learners are expected to understand the word in academic and journalistic texts. The nuances between 'controlar', 'gerir', 'administrar', and 'regular' are explored in depth. B2 students should be able to use the verb in hypothetical scenarios and complex arguments. For example, 'Se o governo não controlar os preços, a economia sofrerá'. The reflexive use 'controlar-se' is used in more sophisticated psychological contexts. The word is also seen in technical manuals or scientific reports where 'variáveis controladas' (controlled variables) are discussed. At this stage, the learner has a firm grasp of the word's versatility across different registers.

At the C1 level, the use of 'controlar' becomes highly nuanced and idiomatic. Learners explore the philosophical and political implications of control. They might discuss 'controlar a narrativa' (controlling the narrative) or 'mecanismos de controle social'. The word is used in literary contexts to describe a character's internal struggle or a narrator's mastery over the story. C1 students are expected to recognize and use 'controlar' in formal legal or administrative documents, where it might refer to 'órgãos de controle' (oversight bodies). The focus is on precision—knowing exactly when 'controlar' is better than 'subjugar', 'reprimir', or 'monitorar'. They also learn rare idiomatic expressions and the historical etymology of the word to understand its deep-seated meaning in Romance languages.

At the C2 level, 'controlar' is mastered in all its complexity, including its use in highly specialized fields like cybernetics, advanced psychology, and macroeconomics. A C2 speaker understands the subtle power dynamics implied by the word in political discourse. They can use it with irony or metaphor, such as 'controlar o incontrolável'. The word is used to discuss abstract theories of control and self-regulation. C2 learners can critique the use of the word in media, identifying when it is used to manipulate public perception. They have a complete command of all tenses and moods, using 'controlar' effortlessly in spontaneous, high-level debate. The distinction between 'controlar' and its most obscure synonyms is second nature, allowing for perfect stylistic choices in writing and speech.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

controlar in 30 Seconds

Controlar is a regular -ar verb meaning to control, manage, or monitor.
It is used for physical objects (remotes), emotions (anger), and systems (economy).
Reflexive 'controlar-se' means to restrain oneself or stay calm.
Commonly confused with 'conferir' (to check), but implies more authority.

The Portuguese verb controlar is a multifaceted term that primarily translates to 'to control' in English, but its semantic range extends into monitoring, supervising, and managing. At its core, it signifies the exercise of influence, authority, or restraint over a person, object, process, or emotion. In a physical sense, it refers to the operation of machinery or devices. In a psychological context, it pertains to self-regulation and the management of one's internal states. In a professional or administrative setting, it often implies oversight and verification of data or performance.

Physical Operation: The act of directing the movement or function of a physical entity, such as a vehicle or a remote control. It implies direct interaction with a system to achieve a specific outcome.

É difícil controlar o carro no gelo.

Example: Physical mastery over a vehicle.

Emotional Regulation: Refers to the internal process of managing feelings, impulses, and reactions. This is a common usage in psychological and self-help contexts in Portuguese-speaking cultures.

Você precisa aprender a controlar sua raiva.

Administrative Oversight: The systematic monitoring of processes, budgets, or inventories to ensure they align with established standards or goals.

O gerente vai controlar os gastos da empresa.

Eles tentam controlar a narrativa da mídia.

A polícia deve controlar a multidão.

Furthermore, the word encompasses the idea of limitation. When we talk about controlling a fire or an epidemic, we are talking about containing it within certain bounds to prevent escalation. This nuance of 'containment' is vital for understanding its use in scientific and medical news. In summary, 'controlar' is about power—whether that power is directed outward at the world or inward at oneself.

Using controlar correctly requires understanding its transitivity and common objects. As a regular '-ar' verb, its conjugation is straightforward, but its application varies across formal and informal registers. In everyday speech, it is often used for simple tasks like adjusting the volume or managing time. In more formal writing, it describes systemic management or political influence.

Grammatical Structure: It is a transitive verb, meaning it usually takes a direct object. You control 'something' or 'someone'. For example: 'Eu controlo o orçamento' (I control the budget).

Nós controlamos a entrada de pessoas no prédio.

Reflexive Usage: When used reflexively ('controlar-se'), it means to restrain oneself or keep one's composure. This is essential for describing personal discipline.

Ele teve que se controlar para não gritar.

Scientific Context: In experiments, 'controlar' refers to keeping variables constant. This is a crucial term for students and researchers.

É necessário controlar a temperatura da reação.

O governo tenta controlar a inflação com juros altos.

Como você controla seu tempo de estudo?

When applying this verb, consider the level of agency. Are you physically moving something, or are you managing a complex system? The verb adapts to both. In Brazil, 'dar uma controlada' is a common idiomatic way to say 'to check on' or 'to restrain slightly'. Mastering 'controlar' allows you to express authority and management across almost every domain of life.

The word controlar is ubiquitous in Portuguese-speaking environments, from the cockpit of an airplane to the dinner table. Its frequency in media, workplace, and daily life makes it an essential A2-level word. You will hear it in news broadcasts discussing economic measures, in offices during project updates, and in homes when parents talk to children about their behavior.

In the News: Journalists use it to describe government actions regarding the economy, public health, or security. 'Controlar a crise' (to control the crisis) is a standard headline.

O Banco Central quer controlar a subida do dólar.

At the Workplace: Managers use it to talk about quality assurance and project management. 'Controlar a qualidade' (to control quality) is a fundamental business process.

Precisamos controlar o estoque semanalmente.

Daily Life & Technology: Smart home devices and apps are all about 'controlar'. You control the lights, the temperature, and your notifications.

Posso controlar as luzes pelo celular.

O piloto consegue controlar o avião em turbulência.

É impossível controlar o clima.

Whether you are listening to a podcast about mindfulness or watching a sci-fi movie about robots, 'controlar' will appear. It is a word that bridges the gap between technical jargon and emotional expression, making it a powerful tool for any learner of Portuguese.

While controlar is a cognate to 'control', learners often stumble on its specific nuances and the prepositional requirements of related verbs. One of the most frequent errors is using 'controlar' when 'conferir' (to check) or 'verificar' is more appropriate, especially in the context of verifying information rather than exercising power.

Controlar vs. Conferir: If you want to say 'I checked my email', do not use 'controlar'. Use 'verificar' or 'checar'. 'Controlar' implies you are managing the flow of emails, not just reading them.

Errado: Vou controlar se a porta está trancada. (Incorrect for checking)

Overusing the Reflexive: Learners sometimes forget the 'se' when talking about self-control. 'Eu preciso controlar' sounds like you need to control something else. 'Eu preciso me controlar' means you need to control yourself.

Correto: Ela não conseguiu se controlar e riu alto.

Preposition Errors: 'Controlar' is a direct transitive verb. Do not use 'de' or 'em' after it. It's 'controlar o fogo', not 'controlar do fogo'.

Errado: Ele controla da situação. (Incorrect preposition)

Correto: Ele controla a situação.

Não tente controlar tudo ao mesmo tempo.

By avoiding these pitfalls, you will sound much more natural. Remember that 'controlar' is about authority and regulation. If you are just looking at something to see if it's okay, 'verificar' is your best friend. If you are managing it, 'controlar' is the way to go.

Portuguese offers several synonyms and related terms for controlar, each with a distinct flavor. Understanding these differences allows for more precise communication. While 'controlar' is the general term, words like 'gerir', 'dominar', and 'fiscalizar' provide specific nuances of management, dominance, and inspection.

Gerir vs. Controlar: 'Gerir' is specifically about management and administration (like a CEO). 'Controlar' is more about the specific act of keeping things in order or within limits.

Ela gere a empresa, mas o sistema controla a produção.

Dominar vs. Controlar: 'Dominar' implies a stronger level of power, often suggesting total mastery or subjugation. 'Controlar' can be more subtle or technical.

Ele domina três línguas, mas não consegue controlar o nervosismo.

Regular vs. Controlar: 'Regular' is often used for adjusting mechanisms or creating laws. 'Controlar' is the ongoing act of maintaining that regulation.

O termostato regula o calor para controlar a temperatura.

A polícia vai fiscalizar o trânsito hoje.

Tente conter a sua curiosidade.

Choosing the right word depends on whether you are talking about people, machines, emotions, or laws. 'Controlar' remains the most versatile, but adding these synonyms to your vocabulary will make your Portuguese much more sophisticated and precise.

How Formal Is It?

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

Direct Transitive Verbs

Reflexive Pronouns

Present Subjunctive for desires/needs

Preterite vs Imperfect

Adverb placement

Examples by Level

Eu controlo a TV com o controle remoto.

I control the TV with the remote control.

Present indicative, 1st person singular.

Você controla o volume do rádio?

Do you control the radio volume?

Interrogative sentence.

Ele controla o personagem no jogo.

He controls the character in the game.

Subject-verb agreement.

Nós não controlamos o clima.

We do not control the weather.

Negative construction.

Ela controla a luz da sala.

She controls the living room light.

Direct object 'a luz'.

Eles controlam o robô.

They control the robot.

3rd person plural.

Eu quero controlar o drone.

I want to control the drone.

Infinitive after 'querer'.

O menino controla a bola.

The boy controls the ball.

Simple present.

Eu preciso controlar meu peso.

I need to control my weight.

Verb + infinitive.

Ela controla bem o seu tempo.

She manages her time well.

Adverb 'bem' modifying the verb.

Você deve se controlar na festa.

You must control yourself at the party.

Reflexive 'se'.

Nós controlamos os gastos este mês.

We controlled the expenses this month.

Pretérito Perfeito.

O guarda controla o trânsito.

The guard controls the traffic.

Professional context.

Como você controla o seu dinheiro?

How do you manage your money?

Question with 'como'.

Eles controlam a entrada do cinema.

They control the cinema entrance.

Usage as 'to monitor'.

Eu controlei a minha raiva.

I controlled my anger.

Past tense of an emotion.

É difícil controlar a ansiedade antes da prova.

It is hard to control anxiety before the exam.

Impersonal 'É difícil'.

O gerente controla a qualidade dos produtos.

The manager controls the quality of the products.

Business terminology.

Espero que você controle seus impulsos.

I hope you control your impulses.

Present Subjunctive.

A empresa controla o mercado de tecnologia.

The company controls the technology market.

Abstract control.

Nós precisamos controlar a poluição nos rios.

We need to control pollution in the rivers.

Environmental context.

Ele não consegue se controlar quando vê chocolate.

He can't control himself when he sees chocolate.

Reflexive with 'conseguir'.

O piloto controlou o avião com maestria.

The pilot controlled the plane masterfully.

Adverbial phrase 'com maestria'.

Eles controlam o acesso à internet na escola.

They control internet access at the school.

Restrictive control.

O governo tenta controlar a inflação anual.

The government tries to control annual inflation.

Economic context.

É fundamental controlar as variáveis do experimento.

It is fundamental to control the experiment's variables.

Scientific register.

Se não controlarmos o fogo, ele se espalhará.

If we don't control the fire, it will spread.

Future Subjunctive.

A mídia tenta controlar a opinião pública.

The media tries to control public opinion.

Sociological context.

Você deve controlar o fluxo de caixa da loja.

You must control the store's cash flow.

Financial terminology.

Eles controlam rigorosamente a fronteira.

They strictly control the border.

Adverb 'rigorosamente'.

Ela aprendeu a controlar sua mente através da meditação.

She learned to control her mind through meditation.

Psychological context.

O sistema controla automaticamente a temperatura.

The system automatically controls the temperature.

Automation context.

O autor controla a narrativa com uma precisão cirúrgica.

The author controls the narrative with surgical precision.

Literary metaphor.

É imperativo controlar a disseminação de notícias falsas.

It is imperative to control the spread of fake news.

Formal adjective 'imperativo'.

O regime tentou controlar todos os aspectos da vida civil.

The regime tried to control all aspects of civil life.

Political history context.

Precisamos de mecanismos para controlar o poder executivo.

We need mechanisms to control the executive power.

Political science terminology.

Ela controla o palco com uma presença magnética.

She controls the stage with a magnetic presence.

Artistic register.

O banco central deve controlar a liquidez do mercado.

The central bank must control market liquidity.

Advanced finance.

Não se pode controlar o imponderável.

One cannot control the unpredictable.

Philosophical usage.

Eles controlam a cadeia de suprimentos global.

They control the global supply chain.

Macroeconomic context.

A busca por controlar o destino é um tema recorrente na literatura.

The quest to control destiny is a recurring theme in literature.

Abstract philosophical subject.

O algoritmo controla o que vemos em nossas redes sociais.

The algorithm controls what we see on our social networks.

Technological determinism.

É uma ilusão achar que podemos controlar a natureza.

It is an illusion to think we can control nature.

Existential statement.

O Estado exerce controle sobre a moeda para estabilizar a economia.

The State exercises control over the currency to stabilize the economy.

Formal administrative phrasing.

Controlar o fluxo de consciência é o desafio do escritor moderno.

Controlling the flow of consciousness is the modern writer's challenge.

Literary theory.

A empresa detém o poder de controlar os preços mundiais do petróleo.

The company holds the power to control world oil prices.

Geopolitical context.

O autocontrole é a chave para a inteligência emocional.

Self-control is the key to emotional intelligence.

Compound noun 'autocontrole'.

Muitas vezes, tentamos controlar o que foge à nossa alçada.

Often, we try to control what is beyond our reach.

Idiomatic 'fugir à alçada'.

Common Collocations

controlar a situação

controlar os gastos

controlar a raiva

controlar o acesso

controlar a qualidade

controlar o trânsito

controlar o estoque

controlar a inflação

controlar o tempo

controlar a temperatura

Common Phrases

sob controle

perder o controle

fora de controle

tomar o controle

controle remoto

painel de controle

torre de controle

ponto de controle

controle de qualidade

controle de natalidade

Often Confused With

controlar vs Conferir (to check/verify)

controlar vs Checar (to check - common in Brazil)

controlar vs Comandar (to command/lead)

Idioms & Expressions

"perder as estribeiras"

"manter a rédea curta"

"estar no comando"

"ter a faca e o queijo na mão"

"segurar a onda"

"dar um gelo"

"pisar no freio"

"baixar a bola"

"ficar na mão de alguém"

"dar as cartas"

Easily Confused

controlar vs

Sentence Patterns

How to Use It

PT-BR

Uses 'o controle' for the device and the concept.

PT-PT

Often uses 'o controlo' for the concept and 'o comando' for the TV remote.

Common Mistakes

Using 'controlar' instead of 'verificar' for checking info.
Forgetting the reflexive 'se' in 'controlar-se'.
Adding an unnecessary preposition 'de'.
Confusing it with 'comandar' in a leadership context.
Using 'controlar' for 'to watch' (assistir).

Tips

Use with 'gastos'

It's the most common verb for managing your budget or expenses.

Reflexive Pronouns

Always use 'me', 'te', 'se' when talking about controlling your own actions.

Public Transport

In Portugal, 'controlar' is what the ticket inspector does.

Soft 'R'

In many Brazilian accents, the final 'r' is almost silent.

Formal Reports

Use 'controlar' to describe quality assurance processes.

Technology

Use it for smart home devices: 'controlar as luzes'.

Emotional Intelligence

Pair it with 'emoções', 'raiva', or 'ansiedade'.

Inflation

It's the standard verb for government economic regulation.

Avoid 'de'

Don't say 'controlar de algo'. It's just 'controlar algo'.

Conter

Use 'conter' if you mean to stop something from spreading, like a fire.

Memorize It

Word Origin

From French 'contrôler', from Old French 'contre-rolle' (a duplicate register).

Cultural Context

Often used for financial management in a country with a history of high inflation.

Standard term for ticket inspection on public transport.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"Como você controla o seu estresse no trabalho?"

"Você acha que é possível controlar o destino?"

"Quem controla o controle remoto na sua casa?"

"Você consegue se controlar em uma liquidação?"

"Como os pais devem controlar o uso da internet pelos filhos?"

Journal Prompts

Escreva sobre uma situação em que você perdeu o controle.

Como você controla seus gastos mensais?

Descreva a importância de controlar as emoções.

O que você faria se pudesse controlar o tempo?

Quais aspectos da sua vida você gostaria de controlar melhor?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, it's better to use 'verificar' or 'checar'. 'Controlar' implies management or restriction, not just viewing.

'Gerir' is more about administrative management (like a business), while 'controlar' is about regulation and keeping things in check.

Yes, it follows the standard pattern for verbs ending in -ar.

You can say 'autocontrole' or 'controle emocional'.

Yes, but it often implies a negative or dominant relationship, like 'Ele controla a esposa'.

It is a remote control, used for TVs, air conditioners, etc.

You say 'fora de controle'.

Yes, to say a team is 'controlando o jogo' (controlling the game).

It means to restrain oneself or keep one's temper/emotions in check.

Yes, 'controlar o progresso' is a common way to say 'to monitor progress'.