01
enthalten
to contain
To have something as a component or part of the contents.
example
Diese Sauce enthält Knoblauch und verschiedene Kräuter.
This sauce contains garlic and various herbs.
enthalten
to contain / abstain
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Enthalten' (to contain / abstain) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'ent-' remains firmly attached to the verb 'halten' (to hold) in all tenses and sentence positions.
EXAMPLE
Der Bericht enthält alle wichtigen Informationen.
The report contains all the important information.
Context clue
The two main meanings are easy to distinguish: if the verb appears with a reflexive pronoun ('sich enthalten'), it means 'to abstain' or 'to refrain from'. Without a reflexive pronoun, it means 'to have as contents'.
EXAMPLE
Die Schokolade enthält Nüsse.
The chocolate contains nuts.
Typical use
This meaning is very commonly used to talk about ingredients in foods, components of products, or information in texts.
EXAMPLE
Dieses Shampoo enthält keine Silikone.
This shampoo contains no silicones.
Sentence structure with 'sich enthalten'
The phrase 'sich enthalten' (to abstain) is often used in formal contexts such as votes. The thing one refrains from is often in the genitive (very formal) or expressed with 'von' + dative.
EXAMPLE
Er enthielt sich eines Kommentars zu der Situation.
He refrained from commenting on the situation.
Compare with
enthalten vs haben
to have
'haben' and 'enthalten' can both say that something is present in a thing. 'haben' is more general and very common in everyday speech: 'Eine Tasche hat viele Fächer' (a bag has many compartments), 'ein Text hat Fehler' (a text has mistakes). 'enthalten' is more precise when something is part of the contents, for example in a drink, a package, a contract, or a file. The words can be confused because 'enthalten' often feels like a more precise version of 'haben'. If you are only naming a feature, 'haben' is more natural. If you are talking about the contents, 'enthalten' is more precise.
enthalten
Die Reiseunterlagen enthalten alle wichtigen Informationen zum Flug.
The travel documents contain all the important information about the flight.
haben
Der neue Kalender hat genug Platz für meine Termine.
The new calendar has enough space for my appointments.
In real life
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