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verb

contenir

contain

Avoir quelque chose à l'intérieur ou garder quelque chose en soi.

Definition & meaning

The verb contenir generally refers to the act of holding or housing something within a specific space or limit. It has three main nuances:

  1. To contain (physical capacity): To have something inside as part of its contents. For example, a bottle contains water.
  2. To restrain or control: To keep one's emotions, impulses, or a group of people within certain limits. It implies preventing something from spreading or exploding.
  3. To include: To comprise or encompass specific elements within a whole (e.g., a contract containing clauses).

Grammar & Word origin

Grammar:

  • contenir is a third-group (irregular) verb.
  • It follows the same conjugation pattern as tenir .
  • It is a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object. In its reflexive form, se contenir, it means to control oneself or to restrain one's feelings.

Word origin: The word originates from the Latin continere, which is a combination of con- (together) and tenere (to hold). It literally means "to hold together."

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

  • Renfermer (to enclose or contain)
  • Comporter (to include or involve)
  • Inclure (to include)
  • Maîtriser (to master or control one's emotions)
  • Réprimer (to suppress or repress)

Antonyms:

  • Libérer (to set free)
  • Lâcher (to let go or release)
  • Exclure (to exclude)
  • Exprimer (to express, in the context of failing to contain emotions)

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Examples

Cette boîte peut contenir des bonbons.verb

This box can contain candy.

Un grand sac pourrait contenir tous ces objets.verb

A large bag could contain all these items.

Cette boîte peut contenir plusieurs objets utiles.verb

This box can contain several useful items.

Parfois, une valise suffit à contenir tout ce dont on a besoin.verb

Sometimes, one suitcase is enough to contain everything one needs.

Un sac bleu peut contenir beaucoup de choses utiles pour un voyage.verb

A blue bag can contain many useful things for a trip.

Cette boîte contient plusieurs objets utiles.verb

This box contains several useful objects.

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