How to Say "to contain" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to contain” is “incluir” — use 'incluir' when 'to contain' means to feature or comprise something as part of a whole, often in a list or calculation.
incluir
een-cloo-EERin.klu'ir
Examples
La entrada incluye una bebida.
The ticket includes a drink.
La cuenta del restaurante ya incluye la propina.
The restaurant bill already includes the tip.
El viaje incluye el hotel y las comidas.
The trip includes the hotel and meals.
Asegúrate de incluir todos tus datos en el formulario.
Make sure to include all your details in the form.
The 'Y' Rule
For this verb, when the letter 'i' ends up between two vowels, it turns into a 'y'. That's why we say 'incluyo' instead of 'incluio'.
Personal 'A' with People
When you are including a person or a pet, you must use the word 'a' after the verb, like 'Incluyo a mi hermano' (I include my brother).
The Gerund Spelling
Mistake: “incluiendo”
Correction: incluyendo. Remember that the 'i' changes to 'y' when it is between the 'u' and the 'e'.
Confusing it with 'meter'
Mistake: “Incluí la llave en el bolsillo.”
Correction: Metí la llave en el bolsillo. Use 'incluir' for lists or concepts, and 'meter' for physically putting things inside.
contener
kon-te-nerkonteˈneɾ
Examples
Esta botella contiene agua.
This bottle contains water.
Esta caja contiene libros viejos.
This box contains old books.
El refresco contiene mucho azúcar.
The soda contains a lot of sugar.
El documento contiene información importante.
The document contains important information.
The 'Tener' Connection
This word is just the word 'tener' (to have) with 'con-' at the beginning. It follows all the same weird spelling changes as 'tener'.
Present Tense Spelling
Mistake: “yo contengo (correct), yo conteno (incorrect)”
Correction: Just like you say 'yo tengo', you must say 'yo contengo' with a 'g' sound.
alojar
ah-loh-HARa.loˈxaɾ
Examples
El disco duro puede alojar muchos archivos.
The hard drive can host many files.
Necesitamos un servidor para alojar nuestra página web.
We need a server to host our website.
Esta carpeta aloja todos los archivos del proyecto.
This folder houses all the project files.
La estructura de hierro aloja el motor del vehículo.
The iron structure houses the vehicle's engine.
Technical Usage
In technology, 'alojar' works just like 'to host' in English. It describes the physical server or folder where digital things live.
encerrar
en-seh-RRARenseˈraɾ
Examples
Su mirada encerraba tristeza.
His gaze held sadness.
Ese cofre encierra un gran secreto.
That chest holds a great secret.
Sus palabras encierran una profunda tristeza.
Her words contain a deep sadness.
El proyecto encierra muchos riesgos para la empresa.
The project involves many risks for the company.
Abstract Subjects
When used this way, the 'subject' (the thing doing the containing) is often an object or a concept, like 'his silence' or 'the document'.
Using 'Incluir' instead
Mistake: “El libro incluye un secreto.”
Correction: El libro encierra un secreto. While 'incluir' is okay, 'encerrar' sounds more poetic and suggests the secret is hidden or deep inside.
Physical vs. Abstract Containment
Related Translations
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