German Conversation · Level 79
59 words
German word
steuern
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈʃtɔʏ̯ɐn/
Meaning
- verbdrive
Example
Sie steuert das Auto zur Tankstelle.
She drives the car to the gas station.
More examples
Die Drohne lässt sich per App steuern.
The drone can be controlled via an app.
Core concept
A driver or operator keeps a moving vehicle or working device on a chosen route by making continuous adjustments.
Common phrases
die Maschine steuern
operate the machine
den Cursor steuern
control the cursor
per Fernbedienung steuern
operate by remote control
Similar words
fahren: Travel by driving or riding in a vehicle such as a car or bicycle.
lenken: Change a vehicle's direction by moving its steering wheel or rudder.
bedienen: Operate a machine or device using its buttons, switches, or levers.
manövrieren: Move a vehicle or boat carefully through a narrow or difficult space.
Definition in German
Gezielt etwas lenken oder regulieren, besonders die Kontrolle der Richtung eines Fahrzeugs oder die Bedienung eines Geräts
Word origin
The verb developed from the Germanic ancestor of English steer, whose central meaning was to guide or direct rather than simply to move.
Usage tips
- For ordinary travel, German usually uses fahren, while steuern emphasizes control over the vehicle's direction or operation.
Other meanings
- operateverb
- controlverb
- pilotverb
Related words
- ferngesteuertremote-controlledadjective
- Steuergerätcontrol unitnoun
- Steuerungcontrolnoun