die
Kontrolle
What does 'die Kontrolle' mean? 🤔
Die Kontrolle is a feminine noun with several meanings:
- Check / Inspection: The act of checking or examining something for correctness, safety, or quality. Examples: die Passkontrolle (passport control), die Qualitätskontrolle (quality control), die Fahrscheinkontrolle (ticket inspection).
- Supervision / Monitoring: Observing or overseeing people, processes, or areas. Examples: die Kontrolle über Mitarbeiter haben (to have control over employees), unter polizeilicher Kontrolle stehen (to be under police surveillance).
- Control / Command / Mastery: The ability to direct, steer, or dominate something or someone; also includes self-control. Examples: die Kontrolle über ein Fahrzeug haben/verlieren (to have/lose control of a vehicle), die Kontrolle über seine Gefühle (Selbstkontrolle - self-control), die Kontrolle über ein Gebiet (control over an area).
- Control Element (Technical): A mechanism or device for controlling or regulating something. Example: die elektronische Kontrolle der Heizung (the electronic control of the heating system).
🚨 Remember: die Kontrolle is always feminine.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-e/-ee → almost always feminine.
There are many -e nouns, many of which are feminine, but there are also some important exceptions.
Wisdom, power, rules → mostly feminine.
Grammar Corner: Declining 'die Kontrolle' 📐
The noun "Kontrolle" is feminine. The article is always die.
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Kontrolle |
| Genitive | der | Kontrolle |
| Dative | der | Kontrolle |
| Accusative | die | Kontrolle |
Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Kontrollen |
| Genitive | der | Kontrollen |
| Dative | den | Kontrollen |
| Accusative | die | Kontrollen |
Example Sentences 📝
- Die Kontrolle am Flughafen war sehr streng.
(The check/control at the airport was very strict.) - Der Manager hat die volle Kontrolle über das Projekt.
(The manager has full control over the project.) - Er verlor die Kontrolle über sein Auto auf der eisigen Straße.
(He lost control of his car on the icy road.) - Regelmäßige ärztliche Kontrollen sind wichtig für die Gesundheit.
(Regular medical check-ups are important for health.) - Sie arbeitet an ihrer Selbstkontrolle.
(She is working on her self-control.)
Using 'die Kontrolle' in Context 🎯
"Die Kontrolle" is a versatile word used in various contexts:
- Authorities and Security: Grenzkontrolle (border control), Zollkontrolle (customs control), Polizeikontrolle (police check), Sicherheitskontrolle (security check). Refers to official inspections.
- Quality and Management: Qualitätskontrolle (quality control), Endkontrolle (final inspection), Budgetkontrolle (budget control). Focuses on ensuring standards.
- Technology: Fernkontrolle (remote control), Geschwindigkeitskontrolle (speed control). Denotes control mechanisms.
- Personal Sphere: Selbstkontrolle (self-control), unter Kontrolle haben/bringen/verlieren (to have/bring/lose control). Describes power, mastery, or its loss.
- Sports: Ballkontrolle (ball control). The ability to handle sports equipment.
Common Phrases:
- etwas unter Kontrolle haben: to have something under control.
- etwas unter Kontrolle bringen: to bring something under control.
- die Kontrolle verlieren (über): to lose control (of).
- außer Kontrolle geraten: to get out of control.
⚠️ Don't confuse "die Kontrolle" (check, control, mastery) with "die Steuerung" (steering, regulation), although they can be similar in technical contexts. "Steuerung" implies more active direction, while "Kontrolle" often implies checking or supervision.
Memory Hooks for 'die Kontrolle' 🧠
Article Mnemonic (die):
Imagine a controlling QUEEN (die is feminine!) performing an inspection (Kontrolle). Feminine nouns often take 'die'.
Meaning Mnemonic (Check, Supervision, Control):
CONTROL sounds very similar to Kontrolle. Think of someone CONTROLLING a situation through checks and supervision.
Word Families: Synonyms & Antonyms for Kontrolle ↔️
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Check/Inspection: die Überprüfung, die Inspektion, der Check, die Revision
- Supervision/Monitoring: die Aufsicht, die Überwachung, das Monitoring
- Control/Mastery/Power: die Beherrschung, die Herrschaft, die Macht, die Disziplin, die Selbstbeherrschung
- Control (technical): die Regelung, die Steuerung
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning):
- das Chaos (chaos)
- die Unordnung (disorder)
- die Freiheit (freedom)
- die Nachlässigkeit (negligence)
- der Kontrollverlust (loss of control)
- die Anarchie (anarchy - lack of rule)
Similar but Different Words:
A Little Chuckle 😄
DE: Frage: Was ist der Unterschied zwischen einem Kontrolleur und einem Känguru?
DE: Antwort: Das Känguru kann ohne Ticket springen, der Kontrolleur springt, wenn du kein Ticket hast!
EN: Question: What's the difference between a ticket inspector and a kangaroo?
EN: Answer: The kangaroo can jump without a ticket; the inspector jumps when you don't have a ticket!
Poetic Control ✍️
DE:
Am Eingang, streng und klar,
steht sie, die Prüfung, wunderbar.
Ob Ticket, Pass, ob Qualität,
Die Kontrolle sagt, wie's steht.
Mal Macht, mal Aufsicht, mal ganz klein,
hält sie die Zügel, fest und fein.
Verlier sie nicht, halt sie im Sinn,
sonst ist der ganze Plan dahin.
EN Translation:
At the entrance, strict and clear,
It stands, the check, wonderfully near.
Be it ticket, passport, quality's state,
Die Kontrolle tells you of its fate.
Sometimes power, sometimes oversight's art,
It holds the reins, firm from the start.
Don't lose it, keep it in your mind,
Or else the whole plan falls behind.
German Riddle Time 🕵️♀️
DE:
Ich bin gefragt an Tor und Tür,
bei Qualität und auch bei dir.
Ich schaue nach, ob alles passt,
und gebe Halt, wenn du mich hast.
Verlierst du mich, entsteht oft Leid,
ich sorge für Gerechtigkeit.
Wer oder was bin ich?
EN:
I'm asked for at the gate and door,
With quality, and with you, what's more.
I check around if all fits right,
And give support when held on tight.
If you lose me, often pain is bred,
I ensure that justice is widespread.
Who or what am I?
Lösung/Answer: die Kontrolle (control/check)
Bits and Pieces: More on 'Kontrolle' ✨
- Origin: The word "Kontrolle" comes from the French word contrôle, which originally meant "counter-roll" or "counter-register" used for checking accounts.
- Verb: The related verb is kontrollieren (to control, to check, to monitor, to master).
- Compounds: There are many compound words clarifying the specific type of control, e.g.: Grenzkontrolle (border control), Qualitätskontrolle (quality control), Selbstkontrolle (self-control), Alkoholkontrolle (alcohol check), Fernkontrolle (remote control), Endkontrolle (final inspection), Finanzkontrolle (financial control).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Kontrolle?
The word "Kontrolle" is feminine, so the correct article is die Kontrolle. It has several meanings, including check, supervision, and control/mastery.