To Abstain
ichidan verb
Because the hiragana ends with an う sound, you know this word is a verb. The kanji itself means abstain and the verb vocab version is to abstain as well!
ひかえる
Since this word consists of a kanji with hiragana attached, you can bet that it will use the kun'yomi reading. You learned this reading already, good for you!
お酒を控えるなんてらしくないね。もしかして、妊娠したとか？
It’s not like you to abstain from alcohol. Unless maybe, are you pregnant?