进来
jìnlái
The English phrase "come inside" is translated into Chinese as 进来 (jìnlái).
进来 is used as an invitation or a command for someone to enter a building or a room. You can use the particle 吧 at the end of the phrase, forming 进来吧, to make the command sound like a friendly suggestion or a warmer invitation.
What does it mean word for word?
The first character 进 means "to enter".
Which one should you use?
While 进来 functions as a direct command or invitation, using 请进 is a much more polite and common way to host guests. If you want to convey a sense of urgency, you can use the informal phrase 快进来, which means "come inside quickly".
How does it change in a sentence?
If you want to say that someone "went in" (moving away from the speaker), replace 来 with 去 to form 进去了.
How do you pronounce it?
jìnlái
Did you know?
- Traditional Chinese mansions were often described by their number of 进, referring to the number of courtyard layers a guest must 'enter' to reach the inner sanctum.
- In Chinese, the word for 'progress' 进步 literally combines the character for 'enter' 进 and 'step' 步, suggesting that improving one's life is like stepping into a new space.
- In some professional Chinese settings, the verbal invitation 请进 is considered incomplete without a physical gesture, such as the host stepping aside to clear the path.
Examples in context
- 进来。Come inside.This example shows the use of 进来.Tatoeba #5102310 by mirrorvan, translation #2111930 by CK
- 外面很冷，快进来吧。Wàimiàn hěn lěng, kuài jìnlái ba.It is cold outside, come inside quickly.
- 请进，请进来坐。Qǐng jìn, qǐng jìnlái zuò.Please come in, please come inside and sit.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yuting invites Junjie into her house.
- 雨婷 Yuting俊杰，你快进来！Jùnjié, nǐ kuài jìnlái!Junjie, come inside quickly!
- 俊杰 Junjie谢谢，你的家很漂亮。Xièxie, nǐ de jiā hěn piàoliang.Thanks, your home is very beautiful.
- 雨婷 Yuting快进来喝杯茶。Kuài jìnlái hē bēi chá.Come inside and have a cup of tea.
- 俊杰 Junjie太好了，谢谢你。Tài hǎole, xièxie nǐ.That's great, thank you.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
