entra
/entɾa/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase for "come inside" is entra.
This phrase is a request or command telling someone to enter a building or a room. In many Spanish-speaking contexts, especially when inviting someone into a home, the verb pasar is often used instead of entrar to mean "come in", such as in the phrase pasa, por favor.
Which one should you use?
The forms change depending on who you are addressing: entra is used for friends, family or children, whereas entre should be used for strangers or people in formal settings to show respect. When telling two or more people to come inside, use the plural form entren.
How does it change in a sentence?
entra is the informal singular imperative (command) used when speaking to one person you address as tú. The form entre is the formal singular imperative used when speaking to one person you address as usted. The form entren is the imperative used when telling two or more people to come inside.
How do you pronounce it?
/entɾa/
Did you know?
- The verb entrar is used in the phrase entrar en materia, which means 'to get to the point' or 'to start discussing the main topic'. It uses the idea of 'coming inside' to describe entering the heart of a conversation.
- If you are inviting someone into a very small or cramped space, you might hear the phrase meterse, which is a reflexive form of 'to put oneself', though it can sound much more informal or even intrusive.
- In some regions, the command pásale is used, where the suffix -le adds a sense of 'go ahead and do it' rather than acting as a direct object.
Examples in context
- ¿Por qué no entras?Why don't you come inside?This example shows how to use entra in a question.Tatoeba #1959304 by marcelostockle, translation #1886483 by CK
- Entra. Hace frío afuera.Come inside. It's cold outside.This example uses entra to provide a reason for coming inside.Tatoeba #1959301 by marcelostockle, translation #1423395 by Chrikaru
- ¿Por qué no entras y esperas?Why don't you come inside and wait?This example uses entra to suggest a sequence of actions.Tatoeba #8031452 by Seael, translation #2210593 by CK
- Ven, pasa adelanteCome, come in.
- Por favor, entrePlease, come in.
- Entra, por favorCome in, please.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier is at the front door, inviting María into his house.
- Javier¡Hola, María! Entra, por favor.Hi, María! Come inside, please.
- MaríaGracias, Javier. ¿Puedo pasar?Thanks, Javier. May I come in?
- JavierSí, pasa. Te estaba esperando.Yes, go ahead. I was waiting for you.
- MaríaQué amable eres.You are so kind.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
