contain

contain — 動詞

1. to have a particular thing, substance, or element as part of what is inside a sp

1.動詞及物B1
釋義

包含；裝有

內部容納或作為組成部分

to have a particular thing, substance, or element as part of what is inside a space, container, or larger whole — for example, a box containing old tools, a meal containing eggs, or a report containing warnings.

例句

The old suitcase contained nothing but a single photograph and a torn map.

那個舊手提箱裡只裝了一張照片和一張破舊的地圖。

Amelia packed a lunchbox that contained a sandwich, an apple, and a carton of juice.

Amelia 準備的午餐盒裡裝了一個三明治、一顆蘋果和一盒果汁。

contain + noun phrase listing contents

同義詞
  • hold

    more informal; focuses on physical capacity rather than inclusion as a component

  • include

    emphasises that something is part of a larger set, not necessarily physically inside

反義詞
  • exclude

    to leave out or not include something as part of a group or whole

文法句型

contain + noun phrase

用法筆記

Frequently used with containers (box, bag, bottle) or wholes (book, report, meal) as the subject. The object names the thing that is inside or included.

常見錯誤

❌The box is containing many toys.
✅The box contains many toys.
💡'contain' is a stative verb and is not normally used in the continuous form.

2. to keep a dangerous or unwanted thing — such as a disease, fire, conflict, or cr

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

遏制；控制

阻止有害事物擴散

to keep a dangerous or unwanted thing — such as a disease, fire, conflict, or crisis — within a limited area so it cannot reach or affect more people or places.

例句

Firefighters worked through the night to contain the wildfire before it reached the village.

消防員徹夜工作，在野火蔓延到村莊之前將其控制住。

contain + wildfire / fire / blaze

Public health officials are trying to contain the outbreak by isolating infected travellers.

公衛官員試圖透過隔離染疫旅客來控制疫情。

同義詞
  • control

    broader in meaning; can apply to both harmful and neutral situations

  • confine

    more formal; stresses keeping within physical bounds

反義詞
  • spread

    to move outward or affect more areas, the opposite of limiting

文法句型

contain + noun phrase (harmful thing)

用法筆記

The object is typically something harmful or unwanted: a disease, fire, riot, conflict, or crisis. Common in news reports and public health contexts.

常見錯誤

❌The police contained the celebration in the square.' (celebration is positive — unnatural).
✅The police contained the riot in the square.
💡use 'contain' only for negative or dangerous things.

3. to keep a strong feeling such as anger, excitement, laughter, or sadness from sh

3.動詞及物B2
釋義

忍住；壓抑

控制不表露強烈情緒

to keep a strong feeling such as anger, excitement, laughter, or sadness from showing in your face, voice, or behaviour.

例句

Adaeze tried to contain her laughter during the serious meeting but could not help smiling.

Adaeze 在嚴肅的會議上試圖忍住笑意，但還是忍不住微笑。

contain + laughter / amusement

Christopher could barely contain his excitement when he heard about his promotion.

Christopher 聽到自己升遷的消息時，幾乎掩飾不住興奮之情。

can/could barely contain + emotion

同義詞
  • suppress

    stronger and more formal; suggests actively pushing down a feeling

  • hold back

    more informal; common in everyday speech

反義詞
  • express

    to show or communicate a feeling openly

文法句型

contain + emotion noun (anger, excitement, laughter)

cannot contain

barely contain

用法筆記

Commonly used with can/could in negative or near-negative constructions: 'could not contain', 'could barely contain', 'could hardly contain'. Typical objects are outburst emotions: laughter, anger, excitement, joy, tears.

常見錯誤

❌I contained my happiness when I got the gift.' (unnatural — 'contain' with positive emotion sounds strange unless context implies hiding it).
✅I could not contain my excitement when I opened the gift.
💡most natural with 'could not' or 'barely'.

4. in sports such as football, basketball, or hockey, to prevent an opposing player

4.動詞及物C1
釋義

牽制；防守

阻止對手有效發揮

in sports such as football, basketball, or hockey, to prevent an opposing player or team from playing effectively and from scoring many points.

例句

The team's strong defence contained the opposing striker throughout the entire match.

整場比賽中，該隊的堅強防守成功牽制了對方的前鋒。

In last night's game, the point guard managed to contain the league's top scorer.

昨晚的比賽中，控球後衛成功守住了聯盟得分王。

contain + a specific player (top scorer, striker, forward)

同義詞
  • hold off

    suggests keeping an opponent at a distance rather than actively shutting them down

  • neutralise

    stronger; suggests making the opponent completely ineffective

文法句型

contain + opponent / player / team

用法筆記

Used mainly in sports commentary and coaching. The subject is usually a player or a team's defence, and the object is the opposing player, position (striker, forward), or team.

5. to prevent an opposing ball carrier from running around the edge of the field, f

5.動詞及物C1
釋義

封堵

阻止帶球者往邊線跑動

to prevent an opposing ball carrier from running around the edge of the field, forcing them toward the middle instead.

例句

The linebacker's main job was to contain the running back and push him back inside.

線衛的主要工作是封堵跑衛，把他逼回場地中央。

contain + ball carrier position (running back, quarterback)

Pim trained all week to learn how to contain the quarterback and limit his runs.

Pim 整個星期都在訓練如何封堵四分衛，限制他的跑動距離。

文法句型

contain + ball carrier / running back / quarterback

用法筆記

Highly specialised use in American football strategy. The subject is a defensive player or position, and the object is the offensive player carrying or about to receive the ball.