contenéis

contenéis is the present tense form of the Spanish verb contener used with the second person plural. It corresponds to “you all contain” in English and is heard primarily in Spain where the vosotros form is commonly used. The sense can be literal, as in containing physical objects, or figurative, as in holding ideas, emotions, or information inside a space or situation.

Etymology and morphology: contener comes from Latin continere, meaning to hold together. In the present indicative the verb shows a stem change (contend- to conten- in several forms) and has the form contenéis for vosotros. The full present tense paradigm is contengo, contienes, contiene, contenemos, contenéis, contienen. The vosotros form is transcribed with an accent to indicate stress on the final syllable.

Regional usage and contrasts: in most Latin American dialects, the corresponding present indicative for “you all contain” is contenen or contienen when using ustedes, depending on the subject. The form contenéis is distinct from the present subjunctive vosotros form contenáis, which exists as well and follows a different ending (-áis).

Usage notes: contener is transitive and takes a direct object. Contáis not only physical containment but also the capacity to hold or limit something, such as space, information, or behavior. Examples: Contenéis muchos libros en esa estantería. ¿Qué contenéis dentro de esa caja? In Latin American Spanish, one would more commonly hear ¿Qué contienen dentro de esa caja? or ¿Qué contienen ustedes dentro de esa caja?