1. to have something inside or as a part
包含，容納
This box contains all my old photographs.
這個盒子裡裝著我所有的舊照片。
The report contains several important findings.
這份報告包含了幾項重要的發現。
Does this drink contain alcohol?
這杯飲料含有酒精嗎？
Contain Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
contain
verb
快速理解
What does "Contain" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Contain"?
表示某物內部裝有、容納或控制著其他事物。
- 1
容納、裝有
EN: The box contains old photographs.
翻譯: 這個盒子裡裝著舊照片。
- 2
包含、含有
EN: This drink contains a lot of sugar.
翻譯: 這款飲料含有大量糖分。
- 3
控制、抑制
EN: He couldn't contain his excitement.
翻譯: 他無法抑制自己的興奮。
- 4
阻止擴散
EN: Firefighters worked to contain the blaze.
翻譯: 消防員努力控制火勢蔓延。
小提醒：注意「contain」通常不用於表示「喜歡」或「想要」某物，例如不說「I contain a new phone」，正確說法是「I want a new phone」。
發音（How to Pronounce "Contain" in English）
How to pronounce "Contain" in English?"Contain" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Contain" from YouTube Videos
What fear can teach us | Karen Thompson Walker
TED
“Our fears also tend to contain imagery that can be every bit as vivid as what you might find in the pages of a novel Picture: a cannibal, human teeth sinking into human skin, human flesh roasting over a fire.”
(1 out of 29)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Contain"?How does "Contain" change by context?
2. to keep something harmful within limits; to control
控制，抑制，遏制
Firefighters worked hard to contain the forest fire.
消防員努力控制森林大火。
She couldn't contain her excitement when she heard the news.
聽到這個消息時，她無法抑制自己的興奮。
The government is trying to contain the spread of the virus.
政府正試圖遏制病毒的傳播。
3. to prevent an enemy, problem, or emotion from moving or spreading
圍堵，牽制，阻止擴散
The army was deployed to contain the rebel forces.
軍隊被部署去圍堵叛軍勢力。
The leak was successfully contained before it reached the river.
洩漏在到達河流之前被成功阻止擴散。
He struggled to contain his anger during the argument.
他在爭論中努力克制自己的怒氣。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Contain"?How to make natural sentences with "Contain"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| contain + noun | 包含（某物） | The box contains old letters. (這個盒子裡裝著舊信件。) |
| contain + noun phrase | 容納，裝有 | This bottle contains two liters of water. (這個瓶子能裝兩公升水。) |
| be contained in + noun | 被包含在…之內 | All the necessary information is contained in the report. (所有必要資訊都包含在這份報告裡。) |
| contain + oneself | 克制自己，控制情緒 | He could barely contain himself when he heard the good news. (聽到這個好消息時，他幾乎無法克制自己的情緒。) |
| contain + the spread/problem | 遏制（擴散/問題） | Efforts are being made to contain the forest fire. (正在努力遏制森林大火的蔓延。) |
用法說明
How is "Contain" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Contain"?
contain doing vs contain to do
- contain + V-ing 表示「包含、容納某個動作或狀態」，強調的是動作本身作為一個整體或事實被包含在內。
- contain + to + V 的結構在標準用法中極其罕見，通常被視為不正確。動詞 "contain" 本身不接不定詞 (to V) 來表示其內容。
- 若要表達「為了防止某事發生而採取措施」，會使用如 prevent (someone) from doing 或 take measures to contain 等其他結構。
- 在描述某物「包含」去做某事的義務或必要性時，通常會使用 require、involve 等動詞，而非 "contain"。 EN: The report contains detailed findings explaining the process. 翻譯: 這份報告包含了詳細解釋流程的調查結果。
EN:The instructions contain a warning not to immerse the device in water.
翻譯:說明書中包含一項警告，切勿將裝置浸入水中。
總結建議
動詞 "contain" 標準用法是直接接名詞或動名詞 (V-ing) 作為受詞，應避免使用 "contain to + V" 的結構。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Contain" and similar words?How to choose "Contain" vs alternatives?
contain vs include
「contain」強調內部裝有或容納某物，而「include」強調整體中的一部分或組成元素。
contain vs hold
「contain」側重於容納的內容物，而「hold」更側重於容納的容量或能力。
contain vs consist of
「contain」指內部含有，而「consist of」指由哪些部分組成，強調構成要素。
口語用法
How is "Contain" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Contain"?
引述
在口語中，有時會用「contain」來引述或總結他人說過的話，表示「包含以下內容」。 EN: So what you're saying is, the plan should contain these three steps. 翻譯: 所以你的意思是，這個計畫應該包含這三個步驟。
EN:To answer your question, my report will contain the data from last quarter.
翻譯:回答你的問題，我的報告會包含上一季的數據。
語氣強調
在對話中，可以透過重音或語調強調「contain」，來凸顯某物「確實包含」或「竟然包含」某個重要元素，帶有驚訝或確認的語氣。 EN: Wait, this package actually contains the missing part! 翻譯: 等等，這個包裹居然包含了遺失的那個零件！
EN:Are you sure the email contains all the instructions?
翻譯:你確定那封電子郵件包含了所有指示嗎？
停頓填充
在即時對話組織思緒時，有時會用「to contain...」或「containing...」作為短暫的停頓，引出後面要說明的具體內容。 EN: The main issue we're facing is... to contain the spread of misinformation. 翻譯: 我們面臨的主要問題是...要遏制錯誤資訊的散播。
EN:We need a solution, something containing both short-term and long-term measures.
翻譯:我們需要一個解決方案，一個包含短期和長期措施的方案。
正式寫作注意：在正式或學術寫作中，應避免將「contain」用於上述口語中的停頓或引述結構。建議使用更精確、直接的表述，例如「comprise」、「include」、「encompass」或重新組織句子，使邏輯更嚴謹。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Contain"?What fixed phrases with "Contain" should I remember?
contain something
verb + noun
包含某物；容納某物
contain something within something
verb + noun + prepositional phrase
將某物限制在某範圍內
contain oneself
verb + reflexive pronoun
克制自己（的情緒）
contain costs
verb + noun (specific collocation)
控制成本
contain the damage
verb + noun (specific collocation)
控制損害；防止損害擴大
hard/difficult to contain
adjective + to + verb
難以控制/抑制
designed to contain
passive/participle + to + verb
設計用來容納/控制
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Contain"?Which "Contain" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×This box is containing many books.
✓This box contains many books.
動詞 "contain" 通常不用進行式，因為它描述的是一種狀態而非動作。
×I contained my anger.
✓I controlled / suppressed my anger.
"Contain" 通常用於指某物「容納」或「包含」其他東西，或用於抽象概念如「包含資訊」。用於情緒時，更自然的說法是 "control" 或 "suppress"。
×The book contains of five chapters.
✓The book contains five chapters. / The book consists of five chapters.
"Contain" 是及物動詞，後面直接接受詞，不需要介系詞 "of"。要表達「由...組成」時，應使用 "consist of"。
×This food contains a lot of vitamins.
✓This food is rich in vitamins. / This food contains many vitamins.
雖然文法正確，但 "contain a lot of" 用於維生素等有益成分時，聽起來較不自然。更地道的說法是 "is rich in" 或 "is a good source of"。"Contain" 更常用於標示成分或潛在有害物質。
×Can you contain this secret?
✓Can you keep this secret?
"Contain" 不適用於「保守秘密」的情境。正確的動詞是 "keep" a secret。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Contain"?What are tense/participle forms of "Contain"?
contains(3rd_singular)containing(present_participle)contained(past)contained(past_participle)