contain
gb/kəntˈeɪn/ us/kəntˈeɪn/
A2
English
~ 600
tartalmaz, van benne, megfékez, visszafog
VERB
A2
1
Usage pattern:
to contain [something]
The bottle contains one liter of milk.
Az üveg egy liter tejet tartalmaz.
This box contains all the parts you need.
Ez a doboz tartalmazza az összes alkatrészt, amire szükséged van.
The package contains fragile items, so handle it carefully.
The file contains sensitive information.
The jar contains homemade jam.
Learner examples
The bag contains apples.
A táskában almák vannak.
This room contains a bed and a table.
Ebben a szobában van egy ágy és egy asztal.
The box contains toys.
Her phone contains many photos.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'contain' with 'include'. 'Contain' refers to something physically or conceptually inside; 'include' refers to being part of a group or list.
Meaning
Hold something within limits
Collocations
contain water
|contain information
|contain chemicals
|contain ingredients
Synonyms
hold (More general; can refer to physically supporting or keeping something in place, not just inside boundaries.)
Antonyms
release (Means to let something go out from where it was held or contained.)
Themes
daily life
|science
|space
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To have something inside it or as part of it.
To have or hold something inside a space, object, or boundary.
VERB
B1
2
megfékez
B2
Usage pattern:
to contain [problem/damage/fire/disease]
Firefighters worked to contain the wildfire before it reached the town.
A tűzoltók azon dolgoztak, hogy még azelőtt megfékezzék az erdőtüzet, hogy elérte volna a várost.
The government is trying to contain the spread of the virus.
A kormány igyekszik megfékezni a vírus terjedését.
We must act quickly to contain the damage after the leak.
Security forces contained the riot before it got worse.
Measures were taken to contain inflation.
Learner examples
They worked to contain the fire.
Azon dolgoztak, hogy megfékezzék a tüzet.
We must contain the virus.
Meg kell fékeznünk a vírus terjedését.
He tried to contain the damage.
Police contained the crowd.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse 'stop' instead of 'contain', but 'contain' emphasizes control within limits, not complete elimination.
Meaning
Control something harmful
Collocations
contain a fire
|contain an outbreak
|contain the spread
|contain the damage
Synonyms
control (Broad term; 'contain' suggests preventing spread beyond a limit.)
Antonyms
spread (Opposite in that it means to extend over a wider area.)
Themes
safety
|emergencies
|health
|science
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To stop something bad from growing or spreading.
To prevent something harmful, dangerous, or unwanted from spreading or getting worse.
VERB
B1
3
visszafog
B2
Usage pattern:
to contain [emotions/laughter/anger]
She could hardly contain her excitement when she saw the gift.
Alig tudta visszafogni a lelkesedését, amikor meglátta az ajándékot.
He tried to contain his anger during the meeting.
A megbeszélés alatt próbálta visszafogni a dühét.
I struggled to contain my laughter during the performance.
He contained his disappointment and smiled politely.
They could not contain their joy after hearing the news.
Learner examples
I could not contain my happiness.
Nem tudtam visszafogni az örömömet.
She tried to contain her anger.
Próbálta visszafogni a dühét.
He contained his laughter in class.
We contained our excitement until the party.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'contain' with 'hide'. 'Contain' means to hold back, not necessarily to hide completely.
Meaning
Control emotions or actions
Collocations
contain anger
|contain excitement
|contain laughter
Synonyms
restrain (Focuses on holding back physically or emotionally; 'contain' often implies visible effort.)
Antonyms
express (Means to show feelings openly, opposite of holding them back.)
Themes
emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To stop yourself from showing strong feelings or actions.
To control or hold back one's feelings, expressions, or behavior.
Grammar
Dictionary form
contain
IPA
GB/kəntˈeɪn/
US/kəntˈeɪn/
Syllables & stress
con - tain (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tain)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: contain
- 3rd Person Singular: contains
- Present Participle: containing
- Past: contained
Word family
Forms
contains
verb
containing
verb
contained
verb
Related words
containment
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
uncontainable
adjective
Advanced or less common
containable
adjective
Expressions
contain an outbreak
1/kəntˈeɪn ən ˈaʊtbɹˌeɪk/
fixed phrase
Control a sudden increase of disease or violence
Stop a sudden problem like disease or violence from growing bigger.
Examples
- Doctors rushed to contain the outbreak in the city.
- They managed to contain an outbreak of unrest in the region.
contain the spread
1/kəntˈeɪn ðə spɹˈɛd/
fixed phrase
Stop something from spreading further
Stop something from moving into more areas.
Examples
- Officials are working to contain the spread of the disease.
- Quick action helped contain the spread of the fire.
contain yourself
1/kəntˈeɪn jʊɹsˈɛlf/
fixed phrase
Control your emotions or behavior
Stay calm and do not show your feelings too much.
Examples
- Please contain yourself during the ceremony.
- He could hardly contain himself when he heard the news.