contiene
kon-TYEH-neh
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
Esta caja contiene un regalo para ti.
A1This box contains a gift for you.
La botella contiene un litro de agua.
A2The bottle holds one liter of water.
El documento contiene información confidencial.
B1The document includes confidential information.
¿Qué ingredientes contiene esta receta?
A2What ingredients does this recipe contain?
💡 Grammar Points
A Form of 'Contener'
'Contiene' is the verb 'contener' (to contain) used when talking about a single item or person (he, she, or it) in the present time.
Irregularity Pattern
The verb 'contener' is irregular because it follows the exact same pattern as the common verb 'tener' (to have). If you know 'él tiene' (he has), you know 'él contiene' (he contains).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the Stem Change
Mistake: "Using *contiene* for 'I' (yo) or 'they' (ellos): *Yo contengo* is correct, not *Yo conteno*."
Correction: Remember the 'g' in the 'yo' form: *Yo contengo*. This is the same irregularity found in *tener* (yo tengo).
⭐ Usage Tips
Checking Ingredients
Use 'contiene' often when reading labels or asking about food and drink ingredients, like: 'Contiene nueces?' (Does it contain nuts?).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: contiene
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'contiene'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'contiene' and 'incluye'?
Both mean 'includes' or 'contains.' 'Contiene' usually refers to what is physically or fundamentally held within something (e.g., ingredients, volume). 'Incluye' often refers to what is added or comprised as part of a list or package (e.g., The price includes tax).
Why is 'contiene' irregular?
It is irregular because it is built from the core verb 'tener' (to have/to hold), which is itself highly irregular. Any compound verb based on 'tener' (like 'contener', 'obtener', 'detener') shares the same unusual changes in conjugation.