contener
verb
1. to contain, hold
to have something inside
Common combinations
- contener agua — hold water
- contener información — contain information
- contener ingredientes — contain ingredients
- La botella contiene un litro de agua.The bottle holds one liter of water.
- La caja contiene varios libros.The box contains several books.
- El informe contiene información importante.The report contains important information.
2. to hold back, restrain, contain
to stop or limit movement
Common combinations
- contener el agua — hold back the water
- contener a la multitud — hold back the crowd
- contener la subida de los precios — contain the rise in prices
- El muro contiene el agua del río.The wall holds back the river water.
- La policía contuvo a la multitud.The police held back the crowd.
- Estas medidas contienen la subida de los precios.These measures contain the rise in prices.
3. to hold back, suppress
to suppress an emotion or reaction
Common combinations
- contener la risa — hold back laughter
- contener las lágrimas — hold back tears
- contenerse para no gritar — hold oneself back from shouting
- No pudo contener la risa.She could not hold back her laughter.
- Intentó contener las lágrimas.She tried to hold back her tears.
- Me contuve para no gritar.I held myself back from shouting.
Same root
contenidocontenedorcontenciónincontenible
Phrases with this word
contener la respiracióncontener la risacontener las lágrimas