contenir

Contenir is a French transitive verb meaning to hold inside or within limits, to include as content, or to restrain. It can describe physical containment, as in a vessel that contains a liquid; figurative containment, such as limiting costs or stopping the spread of something; and the inclusion of elements within a larger whole. The verb is also used reflexively in the sense of restraining one’s emotions or impulses, as in se contenir.

Etymology and forms: Contenir comes from Latin continere, formed with con- “together” and tenere “to hold.” It belongs to the -tenir family of verbs, sharing a common stem pattern in the present tense: je contiens, tu contiens, il contient, nous contenons, vous conten ez, ils contiennent. The verb takes avoir in compound tenses, with the past participle conten u, which is invariable when the preceding direct object does not require agreement. The present participle is contenant. The reflexive form se contenir means to restrain oneself.

Usage notes: Contenir typically takes a direct object, describing what is held or kept within boundaries. Examples include: Le récipient contient un litre d’eau. Les autorités veulent contenir l’épidémie. Il faut contenir les coûts. Se contenir peut signifier maîtriser une émotion ou une impulsion.

Noun form and related terms: Le contenu is the corresponding noun meaning “the content” or “the contents” of something (e.g., le contenu d’un livre, le contenu d’un paquet). Conteneur or contenir-related terms describe containers and containment mechanisms. Antonyms include libérer or laisser sortir in contexts of release.

See also: retenir, renfermer, inclure; and the related concept of contenu as opposed to form.