beherrschen
Translation
to master, to control, to rule, to dominate
Examples
Er beherrscht drei Sprachen.
He has mastered three languages.
Sie konnte ihre Wut nicht beherrschen.
She couldn't control her anger.
Der König beherrschte das Land.
The king ruled the country.
Man muss sich selbst beherrschen können.
One must be able to control oneself.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.acc)) beherrschen to master/control sth. She perfectly masters the violin.
sich beherrschen to control oneself Try to control yourself!
Similar Words
Synonyms: meistern (to master), kontrollieren (to control); Antonyms: unterliegen (to be subject to), nachgeben (to give in)
Etymology
Composed of 'be-' + 'Herr' (master, lord). It literally means 'to act as a master over something'.
Memory Tips
To 'beherrschen' something is to be the 'Herr' (master) of it.