控制 (kòng zhì) is a compound verb meaning 'to control' or 'to regulate' — often implying deliberate, active management of something that could otherwise become unstable or excessive. The first character 控 (kòng) means 'to hold back' or 'to restrain', while 制 (zhì) means 'to manage', 'to govern', or 'to impose order'. Together, they emphasize purposeful intervention to maintain balance, safety, or desired outcomes.

This word appears frequently in technical, medical, and administrative contexts — such as controlling disease spread, regulating machine operation, or managing emotions. It’s more formal and precise than casual alternatives like 管 (guǎn) and often implies authority, expertise, or systematic effort. While it can be used reflexively (e.g., 控制自己), it rarely describes passive influence — the subject must exert conscious agency over the object.