control
/konˈtɾol/
To control in Spanish is control.
The word is used to express exercising influence over something or dictating behavior. When you want to say something is 'under control', use the phrase bajo control. Related nouns include administración and dirección for general influence or authority, while contramedida refers to a specific security mechanism or safeguard used to counter attacks and reduce risks.
Meaning: to exercise influence over, to suggest or dictate the behavior of (verb)
Which one should you use?
While control is commonly used, you can also use dominio to express a stronger sense of mastery or control over a subject or situation.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun control has the plural form controles. Although control is the noun, the infinitive verb form is controlar. If you are referring to the third-person singular preterite (past tense), use controló to mean 'he/she/it controlled'.
How do you pronounce it?
/konˈtɾol/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, el control is the common shorthand for el control remoto, the device used to change channels on a television.
- The origin of control traces back to the Medieval Latin contrarotula, which referred to a 'counter-roll' or a duplicate scroll used for auditing records.
- While controlar means to exercise influence, it is also the standard verb used when talking about checking or verifying something, such as 'checking' your luggage.
Examples in context
- Tom perdió el control.Tom has lost control.This example shows how to use control to say someone has lost control.Tatoeba #1411146 by marcelostockle, translation #1177526 by CK
- No me puedo controlar.I can't control myself.This example uses the verb form of controlar to express the inability to control oneself.Tatoeba #1841336 by marcelostockle, translation #1841224 by Spamster
- Todo está bajo control.Everything's under control.This example demonstrates the phrase bajo control to indicate that everything is under control.Tatoeba #1781651 by hayastan, translation #1779932 by Spamster
- El control es necesario para el funcionamiento adecuado del proyecto.Control is necessary for the proper functioning of the project.
- El empresario tiene un dominio completo sobre su negocio.The entrepreneur has complete control over his business.
- No tienes el mando de la situación.You don't have control of the situation.
- No tengo poder sobre mis emociones durante el concierto.I don't have control over my emotions during the concert.
- Tengo el control de mis finanzas personales.I have control of my personal finances.
- La maestra perdió el control de la clase cuando empezaron a hacer ruido.The teacher lost control of the class when they started making noise.
- Para evitar accidentes, asegúrate de tener el control del vehículo en todo momento.To avoid accidents, make sure to have control of the vehicle at all times.
- Nunca debes dejar que tus emociones tomen el control de tus decisiones.You should never let your emotions take control of your decisions.
- El control de calidad es fundamental para garantizar productos de excelente nivel.Quality control is essential to ensure products of excellent quality.
- 119 more sentences on Tatoeba
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry control, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries control, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
