Updated on March 6, 2024
The word 'control' holds immense significance in our daily lives, shaping our interactions and experiences. It represents the ability to manage, regulate, and direct actions, events, or circumstances. This concept is not only crucial in various fields such as science, technology, and business but also plays a vital role in our personal growth and development.
Control carries a cultural importance that transcends borders. Its interpretation and application may vary across different societies, yet the fundamental idea remains the same. From self-control in Eastern philosophies to command and control in Western management styles, the word 'control' is a global lingua franca that unites us in our shared humanity.
Understanding the translation of 'control' in different languages can open up a world of opportunities. It can foster cross-cultural communication, promote global collaboration, and deepen our appreciation for the richness and diversity of human languages and cultures.
For instance, the German word for control is 'Kontrolle,' while in Spanish, it is 'control.' In French, the term is 'contrôle,' and in Chinese, it is '控制 (kòngzhì).' These translations not only reflect linguistic nuances but also encapsulate cultural values and worldviews.
Afrikaans | beheer | ||
The Afrikaans word 'beheer' originates from the Dutch word 'beheeren', which can also mean 'to administer' or 'to manage'. | |||
Amharic | መቆጣጠር | ||
The word መቆጣጠር, which means 'control' in Amharic, comes from the word ቆጣ, meaning 'handle' or 'grasp'. | |||
Hausa | sarrafawa | ||
Hausa sarafawa is a noun of verbal origin from the verb sarafa (to put or keep something under control). | |||
Igbo | njikwa | ||
In Igbo, the word 'njikwa' also refers to the act of guiding or directing something. | |||
Malagasy | fanaraha-maso | ||
In Malagasy, "fanaraha-maso" also refers to a form of martial art practiced with weapons, including spears and shields. | |||
Nyanja (Chichewa) | kulamulira | ||
"Kulamulira" is derived from the word "lamulira" which means "to hold". | |||
Shona | kuzvidzora | ||
The word "kuzvidzora" in Shona also means "to discipline", "to supervise", and "to look after". | |||
Somali | xakamaynta | ||
"Xakamaynta" also refers to the control and management of resources, such as land or finances. | |||
Sesotho | taolo | ||
The word taolo also relates to the physical structure of a beehive or a bird's nest. | |||
Swahili | kudhibiti | ||
Originally only used for 'written language', later adapted to the concept of 'controlling'. | |||
Xhosa | ulawulo | ||
The word "ulawulo" can also refer to the process of managing or governing something. | |||
Yoruba | iṣakoso | ||
"Iṣakoso" is a Yoruba word that derives from "ìṣà" (arrangement/set up) and "ìkoso" (care/supervision). | |||
Zulu | ukulawula | ||
'Ukulamula' means 'to lead' or 'to govern' in Zulu. | |||
Bambara | ka jateminɛ | ||
Ewe | dziɖuɖu | ||
Kinyarwanda | kugenzura | ||
Lingala | koyangela | ||
Luganda | okufuga | ||
Sepedi | laola | ||
Twi (Akan) | kyerɛ kwan | ||
Arabic | مراقبة | ||
The Arabic word "مراقبة" is derived from the verb "راقب" which means "to observe" and can also refer to monitoring, supervision, or surveillance. | |||
Hebrew | לִשְׁלוֹט | ||
The word "לִשְׁלוֹט" ("control") in Hebrew shares the same root with the word "שָׁלוֹם" ("peace"), suggesting a connection between control and tranquility. | |||
Pashto | کنټرول | ||
In Pashto, کنټرول can also refer to a type of horse bit used to control the animal's head. | |||
Arabic | مراقبة | ||
The Arabic word "مراقبة" is derived from the verb "راقب" which means "to observe" and can also refer to monitoring, supervision, or surveillance. |
Albanian | kontrolli | ||
The Albanian word "kontrolli" comes from the French word "contrôle" and the Italian word "controllo". | |||
Basque | kontrola | ||
The Basque word "kontrola" also means "balance" or "equilibrium". | |||
Catalan | control | ||
In Catalan, the word 'control' also means 'restraint', 'check', 'domination' or 'command'. | |||
Croatian | kontrolirati | ||
The Croatian word "kontrolirati" comes from the French word "contrôler" via Italian "controllare", and refers to the idea of verifying something and ensuring its correctness. | |||
Danish | styring | ||
The word "styring" is derived from the Old Norse word "styra", meaning "to steer" or "to govern", and is related to the English word "steer". | |||
Dutch | controle | ||
Controle in Dutch can also mean 'examination' or 'test'. | |||
English | control | ||
The word 'control' comes from the Latin 'contra' meaning 'against' and 'rotula' meaning 'wheel'. It originally referred to the wheel that regulates the motion of a machine. | |||
French | contrôle | ||
The French word "contrôle" has Latin roots and also shares its meaning of "to roll" with modern roller coasters and the obsolete word "controler". | |||
Frisian | kontrolearje | ||
The word 'Kontrolearje' comes from the French word 'contrôle' and the Latin word 'contra' (against) and 'rôler' (to roll). | |||
Galician | control | ||
In Galician, "control" can also refer to a type of dance performed by couples. | |||
German | steuerung | ||
The word "Steuerung" derives from the Middle High German "stiure", meaning "rudder" or "guidance". | |||
Icelandic | stjórn | ||
The word "stjórn" also means "government" or "administration" in Icelandic. | |||
Irish | smacht | ||
The word "smacht" in Irish is derived from the Old Irish word "smácht," meaning "authority, power, or control." | |||
Italian | controllo | ||
The Italian word "controllo" comes from the Late Latin "controrotulus," which refers specifically to a list of financial audits. | |||
Luxembourgish | kontrolléieren | ||
The word "kontrolléieren" in Luxembourgish is derived from the French word "contrôler", which itself comes from the Latin word "contra" (against) and "rotula" (a small wheel). | |||
Maltese | kontroll | ||
The word 'kontroll' is of French origin, and also used in German. In Maltese, it can also refer to a type of button known as a 'control button'. | |||
Norwegian | styre | ||
The word "styre" is related to the Old Norse words "stýra" (a tool for guiding animals) and "stjori" (a steering oar), reflecting its original maritime context. | |||
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | ao controle | ||
"Ao controle" (control) derives from the Latin "contra" (against) and "rotŭlus" (roll). | |||
Scots Gaelic | smachd | ||
The Gaelic term "smachd" has a wider meaning than its English equivalent "control", and can also refer to the regulation of one's emotions or the management of a situation. | |||
Spanish | controlar | ||
The Spanish word "controlar" also means "to manipulate" or "to dominate". | |||
Swedish | kontrollera | ||
The word "kontrollera" comes from the French word "contrôler", which means "to check" or "to verify." | |||
Welsh | rheolaeth | ||
Rheolaeth's second meaning, 'rule,' derives from the noun rheol, also meaning 'rule' and related to rheoli and rhaith, 'law'. |
Belarusian | кантроль | ||
The word "кантроль" is derived from the German word "Kontrolle", which means "check" or "inspection". | |||
Bosnian | kontrola | ||
The word 'kontrola' in Bosnian can also refer to a brake lever on a bicycle or trolleybus. | |||
Bulgarian | контрол | ||
The Bulgarian word "контрол" can also refer to a type of dance known as a "contra". | |||
Czech | řízení | ||
The word "řízení" comes from the Proto-Slavic root *rědъ, which means "order" or "command" | |||
Estonian | kontroll | ||
The Estonian word "kontroll" originates from the German word "Kontrolle", which itself derives from the French word "contrôle", meaning "check" or "verification". | |||
Finnish | ohjaus | ||
Derived from "ohata" (a rod used to steer a horse), "ohjata" originally meant "to steer". | |||
Hungarian | ellenőrzés | ||
The Hungarian word "ellenőrzés" can also mean "revision" or "inspection". | |||
Latvian | kontrole | ||
The word "kontrole" in Latvian also means "check" or "verification." | |||
Lithuanian | kontrolė | ||
The word "kontrolė" originates from the French word "contrôle" and entered the Lithuanian language approximately in the 19th century. | |||
Macedonian | контрола | ||
The word "контрола" comes from the Latin word "contrarollo," meaning "a check or reckoning". It can also refer to a type of dance in which one person leads and the other follows. | |||
Polish | kontrola | ||
The Polish word "kontrola" is derived from French "contrôle," meaning verification or inspection. | |||
Romanian | control | ||
In Romanian, the word "control" comes from the French word "contrôle," meaning "verification," and is often used in reference to quality management systems. | |||
Russian | контроль | ||
Russian "контроль" comes from the French "contrôle" and the Middle Latin "contrarotulus" („check stub") and also means "stub" of a ticket. | |||
Serbian | контрола | ||
"Контрола" (meaning "control" in Serbian) is a loanword from French "contrôle" (1718) via German "Kontrolle" (1741). In Serbian, it is used with the same meaning as in English and has become common in Serbian, which is typical when adopting international terms. | |||
Slovak | kontrola | ||
The Slovak word "kontrola" can also mean "inspection" or "check-up", and is derived from the Latin word "controlare", meaning "to roll together" or "to compare". | |||
Slovenian | nadzor | ||
The word "nadzor" is derived from the Old Slavic word "nazirъ", meaning "to watch". | |||
Ukrainian | контроль | ||
The Ukrainian word "контроль" comes from the Latin word "contra" and the French word "rôle", and originally meant "check the list of names". |
Bengali | নিয়ন্ত্রণ | ||
The word "নিয়ন্ত্রণ" (control) is derived from the Latin word "controllus", meaning "check" or "restrain". | |||
Gujarati | નિયંત્રણ | ||
The word "control" in Gujarati ("નિયંત્રણ") can also refer to the act of controlling a vehicle, or a device that regulates something. | |||
Hindi | नियंत्रण | ||
The word "control" entered the English language from Middle French in the 14th century, deriving from Medieval Latin "contro-rotulus," meaning "counter-roll". | |||
Kannada | ನಿಯಂತ್ರಣ | ||
The word "ನಿಯಂತ್ರಣ" is borrowed from the Sanskrit word "नियंत्रण" (niyantraṇa), meaning "restriction" or "restraint" | |||
Malayalam | നിയന്ത്രണം | ||
In Malayalam, the word "നിയന്ത്രണം" also means "the act of restraining or regulating". | |||
Marathi | नियंत्रण | ||
The word "नियंत्रण" can also mean "restraint" or "limitation" in Marathi. | |||
Nepali | नियन्त्रण | ||
The Sanskrit root of "नियन्त्रण" is "yam" which originally meant to restrain, curb or bridle and "ni" which generally means "in, into, down" | |||
Punjabi | ਨਿਯੰਤਰਣ | ||
Sinhala (Sinhalese) | පාලනය | ||
The Sinhala word "පාලනය" is derived from the Sanskrit root word "pal", meaning "protection" or "rule". | |||
Tamil | கட்டுப்பாடு | ||
In Tamil, "கட்டுப்பாடு" not only means "control" but also "limitation" and "restriction". | |||
Telugu | నియంత్రణ | ||
"నియంత్రణ" is derived from the Sanskrit word "niyantrana," which means "restraint" or "restriction." | |||
Urdu | اختیار | ||
The Urdu word "اختیار" can also refer to "choice" as in "free will" |
Chinese (Simplified) | 控制 | ||
控制 (kòngzhì) originally meant “to restrain” and is composed of 灻 (kǒng), meaning “to restrain with a cord,” and 制 (zhì), meaning “to stop.” | |||
Chinese (Traditional) | 控制 | ||
“控制”在中文中的本意是“駕馭”,引申為“管理”。 | |||
Japanese | コントロール | ||
In Japanese, the word "コントロール" can also refer to a person who controls something. | |||
Korean | 제어 | ||
The word "제어" can also mean "to restrain." | |||
Mongolian | хяналт | ||
The word | |||
Myanmar (Burmese) | ထိန်းချုပ်မှု | ||
Indonesian | kontrol | ||
In Indonesian, "kontrol" means "control" (e.g. over oneself, a situation, or a device), but it also can mean "check" or "verification" (e.g. of a document, information, or accounts). | |||
Javanese | kontrol | ||
"Kontrol" means "control" in English. It is derived from the Dutch word "controle", which is itself derived from the French word "contrôle", which is ultimately derived from the Latin word "contra" (against) + "rotulus" (roll). | |||
Khmer | គ្រប់គ្រង | ||
Lao | ຄວບຄຸມ | ||
"ຄວບ" (khua) can mean "to control" or "to catch" while "ຄຸມ" (khum) can mean "to grab" or "to hold". | |||
Malay | kawalan | ||
The Malay word "kawalan" not only means "control" but also, historically, "army" and "police". | |||
Thai | ควบคุม | ||
"ควบคุม" means "to control" in Thai, but it can also refer to "to manage" or "to supervise". | |||
Vietnamese | điều khiển | ||
The word "điều khiển" (control) comes from the Chinese word "调控", which means "to regulate" or "to adjust." | |||
Filipino (Tagalog) | kontrol | ||
Azerbaijani | nəzarət | ||
The word “nəzarət” originates from Arabic and primarily means “supervision” or “inspection”. | |||
Kazakh | бақылау | ||
The word "бақылау" can also mean "surveillance" or "monitoring" in Kazakh | |||
Kyrgyz | башкаруу | ||
"Башкаруу" is derived from the word "баш" (head) and can also mean "management" or "leadership." | |||
Tajik | назорат | ||
The origin of the Tajik word "назорат" ("control") is the Arabic word "nazarat" ("supervision, surveillance"). | |||
Turkmen | gözegçilik | ||
Uzbek | boshqaruv | ||
The word "boshqaruv" is derived from the verb "boshqarmoq," meaning "to manage," "to lead," or "to govern." | |||
Uyghur | كونترول | ||
Hawaiian | kāohi | ||
The word "kāohi" also refers to a rope or cord used to tie something down. | |||
Maori | mana whakahaere | ||
Mana whakahaere also means 'authority' or 'power', and it reflects the idea of exerting influence or maintaining order. | |||
Samoan | faʻatonutonu | ||
The word 'faʻatonutonu' is also used to refer to a ruler or a supervisor, as in 'o le faʻatonutonu o le aʻoga', which means 'the principal of the school'. | |||
Tagalog (Filipino) | kontrolin | ||
The word "kontrolin" in Tagalog (Filipino) is derived from the Spanish word "controlar", which means "to check or regulate". |
Aymara | uñjaña | ||
Guarani | jehechaukaha | ||
Esperanto | kontrolo | ||
The word "kontrolo" comes from the Latin "controllus", meaning "check-roll" or "register." | |||
Latin | imperium | ||
The Latin word "imperium" originally referred to the authority of a Roman magistrate, including military command and the power to issue edicts. |
Greek | έλεγχος | ||
The Greek word "έλεγχος" derives from the verb "ελέγχω" meaning "to check" or "to test". | |||
Hmong | tswj | ||
The word "tswj" also means "to adjust" or "to tune". | |||
Kurdish | kontrol | ||
The Kurdish word "kontrol" is derived from the French word "contrôle", which itself is derived from the Latin word "contrarotulare", meaning "to check against a roll." | |||
Turkish | kontrol | ||
‘Kontrol’ is a loanword from French ‘contrôle’ meaning ‘checking,’ ‘examination,’ or ‘proofreading’ | |||
Xhosa | ulawulo | ||
The word "ulawulo" can also refer to the process of managing or governing something. | |||
Yiddish | קאָנטראָל | ||
'Control' in Yiddish also means 'contraception'. | |||
Zulu | ukulawula | ||
'Ukulamula' means 'to lead' or 'to govern' in Zulu. | |||
Assamese | নিয়ন্ত্ৰণ | ||
Aymara | uñjaña | ||
Bhojpuri | नियंत्रण | ||
Dhivehi | ކޮންޓްރޯލް | ||
Dogri | काबू | ||
Filipino (Tagalog) | kontrol | ||
Guarani | jehechaukaha | ||
Ilocano | tengngelen | ||
Krio | kɔntrol | ||
Kurdish (Sorani) | کۆنترۆڵ | ||
Maithili | नियंत्रण | ||
Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯂꯥꯛꯁꯤꯟꯕ | ||
Mizo | thunun | ||
Oromo | to'annaa | ||
Odia (Oriya) | ନିୟନ୍ତ୍ରଣ | ||
Quechua | patachay | ||
Sanskrit | नियंत्रणं | ||
Tatar | контроль | ||
Tigrinya | ምቁጽጻር | ||
Tsonga | lawula | ||