1container/place 容器/地方 if something such as a bag, box, or place contains something, that thing is inside it 包含;容纳;装盛
The thieves stole a purse containing banknotes.
小偷们偷到了一个里面有钞票的钱包。
The museum contains a number of original artworks.
这家博物馆藏有一些原创艺术品。
nGRAMMAR: Using the progressive
In meanings 1,2, and 3, contain is not used in the progressive. You say:
What does this box contain?
✗Don’t say: What is this box containing?
2writing/speech 文章/演说 if a document, book, speech etc contains something, that thing is included in it 包含,含有
The letter contained information about Boulestin’s legal affairs.
这封信里有关于布莱斯坦的法律事务的信息。
be contained in/within something
The proposed changes are contained in a policy statement.
提议的改革内容包含在一项政策声明中。
3substance 物质 if a substance contains something, that thing is part of it 含有〔某种成分〕
This product may contain nuts.
这种产品可能含有坚果。
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In everyday English, people often use different phrases to say that something contains something else: 在日常英语中,人们经常使用不同的短语表示某物里有什么
The box contained books. → The box had books in it. 盒子里有书。 | The essay contained a lot of mistakes. → There were a lot of mistakes in the essay. 这篇文章里有许多错误。 | Does this dish contain any meat? → Is there any meat in this dish? 这菜里面有肉吗?
contain yourself• A teacher in the back row could hardly contain herself.• Error 53: Package does not contain itself.• However, on July 29, the same day the Reclamation panel reached its verdict, Otis could no longer contain himself.• I simply can't contain myself.• It was a rare scene afterward, with La Russa standing in the Cardinals' clubhouse trying to contain himself.• When the imitation worked and the ball went in, I could barely contain myself.• At last Tam could contain himself no longer.• Meanwhile, Steve Jobs could hardly contain himself with excitement.
Origincontain
(1200-1300)Old Frenchcontenir, from Latincontinere“to hold together, hold in, contain”, from com- ( → COM-) + tenere“to hold”