verb

controlar

control

Vigilar o dirigir algo para que funcione bien o para que no cause problemas.

Definition & meaning

The verb controlar generally means to exercise authority, direction, or restraint over something or someone. It has several specific nuances depending on the context:

To exercise power or influence: To manage or govern the actions or behavior of a person, group, or system.
To restrain or regulate: To keep something within limits, such as emotions, physical reactions, or the spread of an illness.
To verify or inspect: To check the accuracy or condition of something, such as a list, a machine, or a process (similar to "to audit" or "to monitor").
To master: To have the necessary skills or knowledge to handle or operate something effectively.

Grammar & Word origin

Grammar:

Controlar is a regular -ar verb.
It is a transitive verb, meaning it usually requires a direct object (e.g., "Él controla la situación" - He controls the situation).
It can also be used as a reflexive verb, controlarse , which means "to control oneself" or "to restrain one's own impulses."

Origin: The word is derived from the Medieval Latin term contrarotulare, which combined contra (against) and rotulus (a roll or register). Historically, this referred to the practice of checking accounts against a duplicate register (a counter-roll).