in
/ʔɪn/
The German preposition in corresponds to the English 'in', used to indicate that something is contained by.
The preposition in is used to describe being contained by. It can also function as an adjective meaning 'in fashion' or 'popular'. Related adverbial forms like herein and hinein can be used to express the sense of moving to the interior.
Meaning: contained by (prep)
Which one should you use?
The choice of case after in depends on whether you are describing a static location or a movement: use the dative case to describe being inside a location, and use the accusative case to describe moving into a location.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
In German, in often contracts with articles. When expressing a static location, in dem (in the) is often contracted to im for masculine or neuter nouns. When expressing movement into a space (directional), the preposition is followed by the accusative case, such as in die (into the). Additionally, the prepositional phrase in das contracts to ins.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʔɪn/
Did you know?
- While in is a fundamental preposition, the modern adjective meaning 'trendy' or 'fashionable' was actually borrowed back from English.
- The phrase im Grunde literally means 'in the ground' or 'in the bottom' but is used as a common way to say 'basically' or 'fundamentally'.
- When talking about being 'in' a city or country, Germans often use in but will switch to auf when referring to being 'on' an island, such as auf Sylt.
Examples in context
- Ich bin in Rom.I'm in Rome.This sentence shows the use of in to indicate a static location (Rome).Tatoeba #2132969 by Sirio60, translation #2133022 by CN
- Ich war in Eile.I was in a hurry.This sentence demonstrates the use of in within an idiomatic expression (in a hurry).Tatoeba #1888568 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1887923 by CK
- Er wohnt in Rom.He lives in Rome.This sentence shows the use of in to describe living within a location (Rome).Tatoeba #3698408 by Esperantostern, translation #2706955 by CN
- inmitten der VerhandlungenIn the midst of negotiations
- im HausIn the house
- ins AutoInto the car
- in der SchuleIn the school
- im ParkIn the park
- Ich bin in der StadtI am in the city
- in OrdnungIn order
- in GefahrIn danger
- In der KücheIn the kitchen
- Ich lebe in Berlin.I live in Berlin.
- In diesem Buch steht eine interessante Geschichte.There is an interesting story in this book.
- 9730 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hannah and Julian are looking for a lost key in the house.
- HannahIst der Schlüssel in der Tasche?Is the key in the bag?
- JulianNein, er ist nicht in der Tasche.No, it is not in the bag.
- HannahVielleicht liegt er in der Küche.Maybe it is in the kitchen.
- JulianIch schaue sofort in der Küche nach.I will look in the kitchen right away.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “in” translations and entries in, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries in, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
