herein
[hɛˈʁaɪ̯n]
The German phrase for "come in" is herein.
herein is used to invite or tell someone to enter a room or building. When used to express the action of moving into a space, it combines with the verb kommen to form the separable verb hereinkommen.
What does it mean word for word?
The word herein is a combination of hier (here) and in (in), literally meaning "in here".
Which one should you use?
herein refers to moving into the space where the speaker is located. In contrast, use hinein when telling someone to move into a space that is away from the speaker.
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as a verb meaning "to come in", herein combines with kommen to form the separable verb hereinkommen.
Did you know?
- In a formal office setting, a visitor often waits for the host to say herein before crossing the threshold, even if the door is already open.
- In very old-fashioned or highly formal contexts, treten Sie herein is used instead of kommen Sie herein to sound more elegant.
- Using hinein when you are already inside the room can sound like you are pushing the person away or directing them further into a deep space.
Examples in context
- Ich bat Tom herein.I asked Tom to come in.This sentence shows how to use herein when asking someone to come in.Tatoeba #2291996 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2291909 by CK
- Ich bat sie herein.I asked them to come in.This sentence shows how to use herein when asking them to come in.Tatoeba #7937416 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #3919891 by CH
- Ich bat ihn herein.I asked him to come in.This sentence shows how to use herein when asking him to come in.Tatoeba #10090862 by wolfgangth, translation #3919892 by CH
- Kommen Sie herein, ich freue mich, Sie kennenzulernen.Come in, I'm pleased to meet you.
- Bitte treten Sie ein und machen Sie es sich bequem.Please come in and make yourself comfortable.
- Komm doch rein und setz dich.Come on in and have a seat.
- Na, komm rein, die Tür steht offen.Well, come in, the door is open.
- 109 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lukas is knocking on Julia's office door.
- JuliaKomm bitte herein!Please come in!
- LukasHallo Julia, hast du kurz Zeit?Hello Julia, do you have a moment?
- JuliaJa, komm schnell herein und setz dich.Yes, come in quickly and sit down.
- LukasDanke, das ist nett von dir.Thanks, that is kind of you.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry herein, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
