In 15 Seconds
- Use it when you are inside and someone is outside.
- Add 'Qing' at the beginning to make it polite.
- Don't use it if you are also outside the room.
Meaning
It's a simple, friendly way to tell someone to enter a space where you already are. Think of it as the verbal green light for someone standing at your door.
Key Examples
3 of 6A friend knocks on your apartment door
门没锁，进来吧！
The door is unlocked, come on in!
Inviting a client into your office
王先生，请进来坐。
Mr. Wang, please come in and have a seat.
Texting a friend who is waiting outside your house
我看到你了，快进来！
I see you, hurry up and come in!
Cultural Background
In traditional Chinese architecture, thresholds were high to keep out bad spirits. Inviting someone to 'come in' was a formal transition from the public world to the private family sphere. Today, the phrase is ubiquitous in the service industry, often shouted enthusiastically by staff to welcome customers.
The 'Direction' Secret
Always remember: 'Lai' means toward you. If you aren't in the room yet, you can't use 'Jin lai'!
Don't be too blunt
Just saying 'Jin lai!' to a stranger can sound like a police command. Always add 'Qing' or 'Ba' to soften it.
In 15 Seconds
- Use it when you are inside and someone is outside.
- Add 'Qing' at the beginning to make it polite.
- Don't use it if you are also outside the room.
What It Means
进来 (jìn lái) is your go-to phrase for 'come in.' It combines the verb 进 (to enter) with the direction marker 来 (toward the speaker). When you say this, you are the host. You are already inside the room, office, or house. You are inviting someone to cross the threshold toward you. It is warm, direct, and very common.
How To Use It
You usually say it when someone knocks. You can use it as a standalone command. To be more polite, add 请 (qǐng) at the start. 请进来 sounds much more welcoming. You can also add a particle like 吧 (ba) at the end. 进来吧 makes it sound like a soft suggestion. It works for physical spaces like bedrooms or offices. It also works for digital spaces like a group chat or a video call.
When To Use It
Use it when your food delivery arrives at the gate. Use it when a colleague knocks on your office door. It is perfect when you are holding the door open for a friend. If you are hosting a party, you will say this fifty times. It is the sound of hospitality. It is also used when inviting someone to join a game or a circle of friends.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it if you are outside with the other person. If you are both entering a building together, use 进去 (jìn qù) instead. 进来 requires you to be the 'destination.' Don't use it with high-ranking officials without a 请. Just shouting 进来 at your CEO might feel a bit too bossy. Also, don't use it for abstract things like 'entering a phase' of life.
Cultural Background
Chinese culture values hospitality and 'opening the door.' In old courtyard houses, the threshold was a significant boundary. Inviting someone to 进来 was a sign of trust. Today, it reflects the fast-paced, direct nature of modern Chinese life. It is less about ceremony and more about getting people into the warmth of the home. It shows you are ready to engage and share your space.
Common Variations
请进 (qǐng jìn) is the most common polite version. You will hear this at every restaurant and shop. 快进来 (kuài jìn lái) means 'hurry up and come in,' often used when it is raining. 进来坐坐 (jìn lái zuò zuò) means 'come in and sit for a while.' This is a classic neighborly invitation. Even if they don't stay, it is the polite thing to offer.
Usage Notes
Perfect for daily life. Use 'Qing' for elders/bosses and 'Ba' for friends. Always ensure you are the one inside the room when saying it.
The 'Direction' Secret
Always remember: 'Lai' means toward you. If you aren't in the room yet, you can't use 'Jin lai'!
Don't be too blunt
Just saying 'Jin lai!' to a stranger can sound like a police command. Always add 'Qing' or 'Ba' to soften it.
The Double Invitation
In China, people often say 'Jin lai zuo' (Come in and sit). It's a way of saying 'don't just stand there, stay a while!'
Examples
6门没锁，进来吧！
The door is unlocked, come on in!
Adding 'ba' makes the invitation feel casual and warm.
王先生，请进来坐。
Mr. Wang, please come in and have a seat.
Using 'qing' and 'zuo' makes this professional and respectful.
我看到你了，快进来！
I see you, hurry up and come in!
Using 'kuai' (fast) shows excitement and close friendship.
别怕，进来。这里有糖果。
Don't be afraid, come in. There are candies here.
A gentle use of the command to provide comfort.
笨蛋，快点进来！外面冷。
Dummy, come in quickly! It's cold outside.
Playful and affectionate use with a pet.
你可以进来放在桌子上。
You can come in and put it on the table.
A standard instructional use of the phrase.
Test Yourself
You are inside your room. Someone knocks. How do you politely ask them to enter?
___ 进来。
Adding '请' (qǐng) is the standard way to make 'come in' polite.
Your friend is at the door and it's raining. You want them to hurry.
外面在下雨，___ 进来！
'快' (kuài) means fast/hurry, making the invitation urgent.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of 'Entering' Phrases
Used with friends or pets.
进来吧
Standard way to say come in.
进来
Polite invitation for guests.
请进
Where to use 进来
At the Office
Boss inviting you in
At Home
Welcoming a neighbor
Online
Joining a voice channel
Rainy Day
Urgent shelter
Practice Bank
2 exercises___ 进来。
Adding '请' (qǐng) is the standard way to make 'come in' polite.
外面在下雨，___ 进来！
'快' (kuài) means fast/hurry, making the invitation urgent.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt's all about where you are. Use 进来 if you are already inside. Use 进去 (jìn qù) if you are outside and telling someone to go in.
On its own, it's neutral but direct. To be safe and polite, always add 请 (qǐng) to make it 请进来.
Usually, for cars, we say 上车 (shàng chē - get on the car). However, if you're already in a large van, you might say 进来.
You can say 大家都进来吧 (dà jiā dōu jìn lái ba), which means 'Everyone, please come in!'
请进 (qǐng jìn) is a shorter, more formal version often used by shopkeepers or hosts at the door.
Yes! If you are in a Zoom room, you can tell someone to 进来 the meeting link.
Not really slang, but people might just grunt 进 (jìn) in very informal, hurried settings like gaming.
It's mostly literal. However, in grammar, it can be a directional complement for verbs, like 跑进来 (pǎo jìn lái - run in).
You would say 回来 (huí lái) or 再进来 (zài jìn lái) depending on the context.
No, for entering a country, we use 入境 (rù jìng). 进来 is for smaller, enclosed spaces.
Related Phrases
请进 (Please come in)
进去 (Go in)
出来 (Come out)
进去吧 (Go in then)
快进 (Fast forward / Hurry in)
