The Subjunctive Mood of Contener is used to express wishes, desires, or uncertainty about an action, for example: Espero que contengas tu ira. (I hope you contain your anger.)

Contener is an irregular verb, meaning its conjugations do not follow the typical patterns of regular verbs. You’ll need to memorize its unique set of conjugations in each tense and mood.

Conjugations

Conjugations of Contener (to contain) in the Subjunctive Mood tense (Castilian Spanish):

Contener generally means “to contain” or “to hold”, but has several different meanings in the Subjunctive Mood, some of which might surprise you.

To contain or hold back: for example, Es importante que contengas tu ira (It’s important that you contain your anger).

To restrain or control: for example, Que contengas tus impulsos (That you restrain your impulses).

To stop or prevent: for example, Para que contengas el sangrado (So that you stop the bleeding).

To include or comprise: for example, Que el informe contenga todos los detalles (That the report includes all the details).

To withhold or hold back (colloquial): for example, Que contengas la risa, ¡esto es serio! (That you hold back your laughter, this is serious!)

Examples

Examples of Contener in the Subjunctive Mood

Es importante que el envase contenga instrucciones claras sobre cómo usar el producto. (It’s important that the container has clear instructions on how to use the product.)

Para que el experimento tenga éxito, es necesario que el recipiente contenga los ingredientes exactos. (For the experiment to be successful, it’s necessary that the container has the exact ingredients.)

Ojalá que la caja contenga todas las piezas que necesitamos para armar el mueble. (Hopefully the box contains all the pieces we need to assemble the furniture.)

Aunque no lo creas, el reglamento indica que cada maleta contenga menos de 23 kilos. (Believe it or not, the regulations state that each suitcase must contain less than 23 kilos.)

Es fundamental que el paquete contenga los documentos importantes para poder tramitar el visado. (It’s essential that the package contains the important documents in order to process the visa.)

Aunque cueste más, prefiero que mi ropa contenga fibras orgánicas. (Even though it costs more, I prefer that my clothes contain organic fibers.)

Para aprobar el examen, es necesario que tu ensayo contenga una tesis sólida. (To pass the exam, it’s necessary that your essay contains a solid thesis.)

Mis padres quieren que mi dieta contenga suficientes nutrientes para estar sano. (My parents want my diet to contain enough nutrients to be healthy.)

El mecánico recomienda que el aceite del carro contenga aditivos especiales para motores modernos. (The mechanic recommends that the car’s oil contains special additives for modern engines.)

Aunque no es obligatorio, sería ideal que tu currículum contuviera una carta de presentación. (Although it’s not mandatory, it would be ideal if your resume contained a cover letter.)

Para que una relación funcione, es esencial que contenga confianza y respeto mutuos. (For a relationship to work, it’s essential that it contains mutual trust and respect.)

Mis amigos esperan que la fiesta de esta noche contenga buena música y bebidas. (My friends hope that tonight’s party contains good music and drinks.)

Aunque es difícil, trato de que mi rutina diaria contenga tiempo para hacer ejercicio. (Although it’s difficult, I try to make sure my daily routine contains time for exercise.)

Conjugations with English Translations

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

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

Synonyms

The Subjunctive mood is also known as the Simple Subjunctive, Subjunctive Present, or Present Subjunctive Mood in English, and as Presente de Subjuntivo, Subjuntivo Presente, Presente del Modo Subjuntivo, or Tiempo Presente del Subjuntivo in Spanish.