Meaning and behavior
What does contener mean?
Contener means to contain. VerbyGo classifies it as an irregular -ER verb. It is non-reflexive.
to hold; to restrain, check.
Build from reliable parts
Principal forms
- Infinitive
- contener
- Gerund
- conteniendo
- Past participle
- contenido
Verified irregular pattern
How this verb behaves
Its forms differ from a fully regular -er pattern in the present, preterite, future.
Conjugation guide
Present forms
Present forms
Present
Use the present forms of contener for current situations, routines and actions that happen regularly.
| Subject | Contener |
|---|---|
| yo | contengo |
| tú | contienes |
| él / ella / usted | contiene |
| nosotros / nosotras | contenemos |
| vosotros / vosotras | contenéis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | contienen |
Conjugation guide
Past forms
Past forms
Preterite
Use the preterite when the action of contener is presented as completed in the past.
| Subject | Contener |
|---|---|
| yo | contuve |
| tú | contuviste |
| él / ella / usted | contuvo |
| nosotros / nosotras | contuvimos |
| vosotros / vosotras | contuvisteis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | contuvieron |
Past forms
Imperfect past
Use the imperfect for repeated or ongoing past uses of contener, or for background information.
| Subject | Contener |
|---|---|
| yo | contenía |
| tú | contenías |
| él / ella / usted | contenía |
| nosotros / nosotras | conteníamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | conteníais |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | contenían |
Conjugation guide
Future and conditional
Future and conditional
Simple future
Use the future forms of contener for predictions, promises and future statements.
| Subject | Contener |
|---|---|
| yo | contendré |
| tú | contendrás |
| él / ella / usted | contendrá |
| nosotros / nosotras | contendremos |
| vosotros / vosotras | contendréis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | contendrán |
Verified context
Examples with contener
El arroz no contiene gluten.
Rice doesn't contain gluten.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FREsta oración contiene un error.
This sentence contains an error.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FRPor favor, contengan su aplauso.
Please hold your applause.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FR
Quick answers
Contener FAQ
What does contener mean?
Contener means to contain.
Is contener regular or irregular?
Contener is a irregular -ER verb.
What is the gerund of contener?
The gerund of contener is conteniendo.
What is the past participle of contener?
The past participle of contener is contenido.
How is contener conjugated in the present?
The verified public subject set is contengo, contienes, contiene, contenemos, contienen.
How is contener conjugated in the preterite?
The verified public subject set is contuve, contuviste, contuvo, contuvimos, contuvieron.
Created by Alejandro Ruiz, an experienced Spanish tutor.