The Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands) of Contener is used to give direct orders or instructions to contain or restrain something, for example Contén tu ira. (Contain your anger.)

Contener is an irregular verb, meaning its conjugation follows a unique pattern that deviates from the standard rules.

Conjugations

Conjugations of Contener (to contain) in the Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands) tense (Castilian Spanish):

Contener generally means to contain or hold something, but has several different meanings in the Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands), some of which might surprise you.

To contain or hold: For example, Contenedlo todo en esta caja. (Contain everything in this box.)

To restrain or control: For example, ¡Conteneos, no peleen! (Restrain yourselves, don’t fight!)

To stop or halt: For example, Contened vuestro llanto. (Stop your crying.)

To withhold or suppress (feelings): For example, Contén tu ira. (Contain your anger.)

Colloquially, to calm down: For example, ¡Contente, hombre! (Calm down, man!)

Examples

Examples of Contener in the Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands)

¡Contén tu ira! No vale la pena enojarse por algo tan trivial. (Contain your anger! It’s not worth getting upset over something so trivial.)

Amigos, contengamos nuestra emoción por ahora y celebremos después del partido. (Friends, let’s contain our excitement for now and celebrate after the game.)

Señoras y señores, les pido que contengan sus aplausos hasta el final de la presentación. (Ladies and gentlemen, I ask that you contain your applause until the end of the presentation.)

Hijo, contén tus ganas de comer dulces antes de la cena. (Son, contain your desire to eat sweets before dinner.)

En esta situación de crisis, es crucial que contengamos el pánico y actuemos con calma. (In this crisis situation, it’s crucial that we contain the panic and act calmly.)

Oye, contén tu lengua antes de decir algo de lo que te arrepientas. (Hey, contain your tongue before you say something you’ll regret.)

Por favor, contened vuestras risas durante la ceremonia solemne. (Please contain your laughter during the solemn ceremony.)

Compañeros, contengan sus quejas por ahora y discutiremos el asunto más tarde. (Colleagues, contain your complaints for now and we’ll discuss the matter later.)

Amigo, contén tus ganas de comprar esa chaqueta cara. Piensa en ahorrar para cosas más importantes. (Friend, contain your desire to buy that expensive jacket. Think about saving for more important things.)

Señores, les pido que contengan sus comentarios hasta que termine mi presentación. (Gentlemen, I ask that you contain your comments until I finish my presentation.)

Chicos, contengamos nuestra emoción por los regalos hasta que abran los suyos también. (Kids, let’s contain our excitement over the gifts until they open theirs too.)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Contener (to contain) in the Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands) tense (Castilian Spanish) with English Translations:

This post covers Castilian Spanish. For Latin American Spanish, click here

Synonyms

The Imperative mood is also known as the Command Form, Affirmative Command Mood, or Direct Command Form in English, and as Modo Imperativo, Imperativo Afirmativo, Mandatos Afirmativos, or Forma de Mandato in Spanish.