/kɔ̃t.niʁ/
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Translation
to contain, to hold; to hold back
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Word origin
From Latin continere, from con- ('together') and tenere ('to hold'). English contain, content and continent come from the same verb.
- Origin
- Latin
- Root
- continere
- English cognates
- contain, content, continent
Grammar
Conjugation
Regular french-irregular conjugation. Pronouns: je, tu, il/elle, nous, vous, ils/elles.
Indicative
| Person | Present | Imperfect | Past historic | Future | Conditional |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| je | contiens | contenais | contins | contiendrai | contiendrais |
| tu | contiens | contenais | contins | contiendras | contiendrais |
| il/elle | contient | contenait | contint | contiendra | contiendrait |
| nous | contenons | contenions | contînmes | contiendrons | contiendrions |
| vous | contenez | conteniez | contîntes | contiendrez | contiendriez |
| ils/elles | contiennent | contenaient | continrent | contiendront | contiendraient |
Subjunctive
| Person | Present | Imperfect |
|---|---|---|
| je | contienne | continsse |
| tu | contiennes | continsses |
| il/elle | contienne | contînt |
| nous | contenions | continssions |
| vous | conteniez | continssiez |
| ils/elles | contiennent | continssent |
Imperative
| Person | Affirmative |
|---|---|
| tu | contiens |
| nous | contenons |
| vous | contenez |
Non-finite
- Gerund / present participle
- contenant
- Past participle
- contenu · contenue · contenus · contenues
Examples
.
This bottle holds a litre and a half.
.
The file contained all his mother's letters.
.
She had trouble holding back her anger.
.
This product contains neither sugar nor salt.
.
The firefighters managed to contain the fire.
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French · Free printables
contenir: worksheet, infographic and listicleThe padlock and Plus mark show a Kilo Lingo Plus feature. Start your free week to unlock it - no card needed.
Free printable study downloads for the French word "contenir" (to contain, to hold; to hold back): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free week (no card)This word is taught in chapter 23, lesson 3: contenir, paire, facture and 7 more words.