Business English Podcast · Meetings & Status Updates · Episode 19

Why "Control the Figures" Can Sound Different from "Kontrolliere die Zahlen"

A harmless request suddenly sounds like manipulation: why "kontrollieren" does not mean "to control" — and which verbs to use instead.

B2 · Monologue · 4 Min. · free

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Editorially reviewed by James Simmonds – English teacher since 2004Published 5 September 2026

"Kontrollieren" Does Not Mean "Control"

SceneBefore the quarterly meeting, Michael emails a British colleague asking her to "control" the figures — and gets a very puzzled reply. He explains what went wrong and which verbs Germans need instead.

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Tip: listen to the episode twice before you start the test.

✓ To the comprehension test

Michael — Management accountant, automotive supplier

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Transcript

The full transcript opens after the comprehension test — so you train real listening instead of reading along.

German support

MichaelWelcome back to the Simmonds Business English Podcast. My name is Michael, I work in controlling — and that word is exactly our topic today. Why "control the figures" can sound very different from „kontrolliere die Zahlen".

MichaelTwo weeks before our quarterly board meeting, I sent a short email to my colleague Susan in Birmingham. I wrote: "Could you please control the figures before the board meeting?" For me, a completely normal request.Für mich eine völlig normale Bitte – dachte ich.

MichaelSusan’s reply arrived an hour later: "Control them in what way? The figures are what they are." She sounded almost offended. It took a phone call to understand what had happened.Sie klang fast beleidigt – erst ein Anruf klärte das Missverständnis.

MichaelHere is the problem. German „kontrollieren" means to check something — to look at it and confirm it is correct. English "to control" means to steer, to direct, to have power over something. So "control the figures" sounds like: take command of the numbers. Or worse: adjust them until they say what you want.„Kontrollieren" = prüfen. „To control" = steuern, beherrschen.

MichaelWhat I actually wanted was one of four verbs. First: "Could you please check the figures before the board meeting?" — a normal look for mistakes. Second: "Please double-check the totals" — a second look, to be safe.

MichaelThird, more formal: "We need to verify the numbers against the ledger" — confirm them against a source. And fourth: "Would you review the report before it goes out?" — read the whole document and comment on it. Check, double-check, verify, review: four verbs, four levels of depth.„ledger" = Hauptbuch (Buchhaltung).

MichaelThe same trap hides in my own job title. In Germany I am a Controller in the Controlling department. In English, that department is closer to "management accounting" — the people who analyse costs and performance. The title "financial controller" exists in English, but if you simply say "I work in controlling", some listeners will think of machines, not budgets.

MichaelWhere does English keep the German meaning? "Passport control" at the airport is fine, and "everything is under control" works too. The trap is the verb with an object you want checked: figures, invoices, texts, contracts. "Please control my text" must become "Please check my text".Die Falle ist das Verb mit Objekt: Zahlen, Rechnungen, Texte – hier immer „check".

MichaelSusan and I laughed about it in the end — and she checked the figures, thoroughly. My rule of thumb since then: if you mean „prüfen", say "check" or "verify". Save "control" for steering things. Thanks for listening — see you in the next episode.

Key phrases

to check

to look at something to find mistakes — the standard translation of "kontrollieren"

Could you check the invoice before we send it?

to double-check

to check something a second time to be safe

Please double-check the totals before the meeting.

to verify

to confirm something formally against a source

We verified the payment against the bank statement.

to review

to read a whole document and comment on it

Would you review the contract before it goes out?

figures

numbers, especially financial numbers

The sales figures for the third quarter look strong.

to control

to steer, direct or have power over something — NOT "to check"

The new system controls the temperature in all warehouses.

management accounting

the department that analyses costs and performance — German "Controlling"

She moved from auditing into management accounting.

board meeting

a meeting of a company’s senior leadership

The final figures are due before Thursday’s board meeting.

Language notes

In this episode a German management accountant almost turns a routine request into an instruction to manipulate numbers: "Could you control the figures?" You learn the four correct verbs for "kontrollieren" — check, double-check, verify, review — and why German "Controlling" is "management accounting" in English (level B2).

Why "control" sounds like manipulation

In English, "to control" means to steer, direct or have power over something — not to check. A native speaker therefore reads "control the figures" as "take charge of the numbers, shape them" — at worst, as an invitation to make them fit. Especially in finance, where integrity is everything, this single false friend turns a harmless request into a small scandal.

Four verbs, four depths of checking

English differentiates where German uses one verb: "check" is the normal look for mistakes, "double-check" the deliberate second look, "verify" the formal confirmation against a source ("against the ledger"), "review" the reading of a whole document with comments. Knowing the four levels lets you set expectations precisely — a "quick check" requests something different from a "full review".

From job titles to passport control

The trap extends to titles: German "Controlling" corresponds to English "management accounting"; "financial controller" exists, but "I work in controlling" makes some listeners think of machine control. Fixed phrases where English itself uses "control" are unproblematic: "passport control", "quality control", "everything is under control". The rule of thumb stands: verb + object to be checked (figures, invoice, text) = "check", never "control".

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Frequently asked questions

What language level is this episode for?

Level B2 (CEFR). The monologue uses nuanced finance and office English; the vocabulary list explains all eight key terms bilingually.

How do you say "kontrollieren" in English?

"To check", "to double-check", "to verify" or "to review" — but not "to control", which means to steer or dominate.

What is German "Controlling" called in English?

Closest is "management accounting" — analysing costs and performance. The title "financial controller" exists in English, but "I work in controlling" is easily misheard as machine control.

Is there a transcript to read along?

Yes, the full transcript with German support notes is on this page — listen first, then take the test, then read along.

Where can I practise financial English live?

In the online business English courses from Simmonds Language Services (englisch-lehrer.com/online): live lessons with real teachers on Zoom, for companies and individuals across Germany. It starts with a free consultation.

Want to practise these phrases in a real conversation?

The podcast trains your ear — in our online lessons you practise the conversation yourself, with real teachers. For companies across Germany since 2004.

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