Which one should you use?
While entrare is used for physical entry, you might use accedere when talking about entering a restricted or exclusive area. If you want to emphasize the act of crossing a threshold or a specific boundary, such as a doorway, you can use varcare. Additionally, while entrare describes physical movement, the idiomatic phrase entrare in possesso di is used to express entering into a state of ownership or possession.
How does it change in a sentence?
When entering a physical space like a room or a building, entrare is typically followed by the preposition in. Because it is an intransitive verb of movement, it uses the auxiliary verb essere (to be) instead of avere (to have) when forming compound tenses, such as essere entrato/a (has entered).
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of entrare is /enˈtra.re/. It has three syllables and the stress is on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- The word entrata can mean 'an entry', but in a business context, it is the standard word for 'revenue' or 'income'.
- In Italian, the phrase entrare in sintonia is used to say you are 'on the same wavelength' as someone else, literally meaning to enter into tune.
- While entrare is the standard verb, Italians often use entrare in crisi to describe someone having a nervous breakdown or a company facing a financial collapse.
Examples in context
- È sicuro entrare ora?Is it safe to enter now?This sentence is useful for checking the safety of entering a place.Tatoeba #6058446 by Guybrush88, translation #3238958 by CK
- Non riesco ad entrare.I can't enter.This sentence is useful for expressing an inability to enter.Tatoeba #9712461 by Guybrush88, translation #9495728 by DJ_Saidez
- Lo vidi entrare in casa.I saw him enter the house.This sentence is useful for describing someone entering a house.Tatoeba #4915964 by Guybrush88, translation #260029 by CK
- Puoi entrare nella stanzaYou can enter the room
- Accedi all'area VIPEnter the VIP area
- Ho varcato la soglia della tua casaI crossed the threshold of your house
- Entra e fatti comodoCome in and make yourself comfortable
- Entra dentro e guarda cosa ho preparatoCome inside and see what I've prepared
- Passa, ti aspettavoCome in, I was waiting for you
- Entra nella mia vita e non te ne pentiraiEnter my life and you won't regret it
- Varca la soglia del paradisoCross the threshold of paradise
- Entra nel negozio e guarda cosa hanno in vetrinaGo into the store and see what they have on display
- Passa nella sala da pranzo, il pane è già prontoCome into the dining room, the bread is already ready
- 92 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chiara and Francesco are standing in front of a museum.
- ChiaraPossiamo entrare adesso?Can we enter now?
- FrancescoSì, il museo è aperto.Yes, the museum is open.
- ChiaraVoglio entrare subito.I want to enter immediately.
- FrancescoAndiamo, Francesco ti segue.Let's go, Francesco is following you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “enter” translations and entries entrare, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
