contener
contain
Tener dentro de sí algo o a alguien, o impedir que algo salga o se desborde.
Definition & meaning
-
To contain or hold: to have something inside.
- La caja contiene libros. — The box contains books.
-
To include: to have something as a component.
- Este producto contiene leche. — This product contains milk.
-
To restrain or hold back: to control an emotion, action, or person. In the reflexive form, contenerse means “to restrain oneself.”
- No pudo contener la risa. — She couldn’t hold back her laughter.
Grammar & Word origin
Contener is an irregular verb composed of the prefix con- and tener (“to have” or “to hold”). It follows the conjugation pattern of tener: contengo, contiene, contuvo, contenido.
It comes from Latin continēre, meaning “to hold together” or “to contain.”
Synonyms & antonyms
- incluir — “to include”; emphasizes membership or composition rather than physical containment.
- albergar — “to house” or “harbor”; often suggests providing space or shelter.
- frenar — “to slow down” or “hold back”; emphasizes stopping or reducing movement or action.
- liberar — “to release”; an antonym when contener means to restrain.
Common phrases & collocations
Make “contener” part of your vocabulary.
Build your Spanish vocabulary with flashcards, audio and spaced repetition.
Examples
La caja contiene muchos regalos sorpresa.verb
The box contains many surprise gifts.
El bolso contiene mi libro favorito.verb
The bag contains my favorite book.
Keep exploring Spanish
Learn words from the content you love.
Add words from websites, books and videos, then remember them with spaced repetition (SRS).
Scan for iPhone & iPad