jìnrù: 进入 - To Enter, To Go Into

• Keywords: jinru, 进入, Chinese for enter, how to say enter in Chinese, go into in Chinese, jinru meaning, Chinese verb, enter a state, enter a place, HSK 3 word
• Summary: Learn the versatile Chinese verb 进入 (jìnrù), which means “to enter” or “to go into.” This page provides a comprehensive guide for beginners, covering its use for both physical entry (entering a building) and abstract entry (entering a new era or a state of mind). Discover its cultural nuances, practical examples, and common mistakes to avoid, helping you master this essential HSK 3 word.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jìnrù
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: To enter; to go into; to get into.
• In a Nutshell: 进入 (jìnrù) is the standard, all-purpose verb for “to enter.” It's a bit more formal than just saying “go in” in English. Think of it as crossing a threshold, whether it's a physical doorway, the start of a new phase in your life, or a digital login screen. It combines the idea of moving forward with the action of entering, making it a clear and definitive term.

• 进 (jìn): This character means “to advance,” “to move forward,” or “to progress.” You can picture it as a person walking forward (like the character `走 zǒu`) towards a destination. It implies forward motion.
• 入 (rù): This character means “to enter” or “to go inside.” The character itself is a pictogram that originally looked like a wedge or an arrowhead, representing something penetrating or going into an opening.
• When combined, 进入 (jìnrù) literally means “to advance and enter.” This creates a strong, clear verb that describes the complete action of moving towards and crossing a boundary into a new space or state.

While 进入 (jìnrù) is a functional word, its usage highlights the Chinese emphasis on distinct stages and transitions. In Western culture, we might casually say “I'm starting college,” but the Chinese expression 进入大学 (jìnrù dàxué) feels more significant, like formally crossing a threshold into a new, defined phase of life. This is different from the casual American “come on in.” You would rarely use 进入 to invite a friend into your home; that's too formal. Instead, you'd use the more personal `进来 (jìnlái)`. 进入 is reserved for more official, abstract, or significant transitions. It's used on signs (禁止进入 - No Entry), in news reports (进入新时代 - Enter a new era), and to describe major life events (进入职场 - Enter the workforce). This formality reflects a cultural tendency to mark boundaries and transitions with a degree of seriousness and ceremony.

进入 is a common word you'll see and hear in a variety of modern contexts.

• Formal/Written Chinese: It's very common on official signs, in instructions, and in formal written communication.
• Example: Airport sign: “现在可以进入登机口。” (You may now proceed to the gate.)
• Abstract & Figurative Concepts: This is one of its most important uses. It's used for entering a state, phase, or condition.
• Entering a phase: 进入青春期 (jìnrù qīngchūnqī) - to enter puberty.
• Entering a state: 进入睡眠状态 (jìnrù shuìmián zhuàngtài) - to enter a state of sleep.
• Technology and Digital Media: It's used for accessing digital spaces.
• Example: 进入网站 (jìnrù wǎngzhàn) - to enter/access a website.
• Example: 点击这里进入游戏。(diǎnjī zhèlǐ jìnrù yóuxì) - Click here to enter the game.
• Business and Economics:
• Example: 很多外国公司想进入中国市场。(hěn duō wàiguó gōngsī xiǎng jìnrù zhōngguó shìchǎng) - Many foreign companies want to enter the Chinese market.

• Example 1:
  • 请大家安静，我们马上要进入会场了。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng dàjiā ānjìng, wǒmen mǎshàng yào jìnrù huìchǎng le.
  • English: Everyone please be quiet, we are about to enter the conference hall.
  • Analysis: This is a formal, public context. 进入 is used for entering a specific, official place.
• Example 2:
  • 没有密码，你无法进入这个系统。
  • Pinyin: Méiyǒu mìmǎ, nǐ wúfǎ jìnrù zhège xìtǒng.
  • English: Without a password, you cannot enter this system.
  • Analysis: A perfect example of 进入 used in a digital context, meaning to access a secure system.
• Example 3:
  • 冬天，很多动物会进入冬眠状态。
  • Pinyin: Dōngtiān, hěn duō dòngwù huì jìnrù dōngmián zhuàngtài.
  • English: In winter, many animals enter a state of hibernation.
  • Analysis: This shows the abstract use of 进入 to mean “enter a state or condition.”
• Example 4:
  • 她一毕业就进入了一家世界五百强公司。
  • Pinyin: Tā yī bìyè jiù jìnrù le yī jiā shìjiè wǔbǎi qiáng gōngsī.
  • English: As soon as she graduated, she entered a Fortune 500 company.
  • Analysis: Here, 进入 refers to starting a career or joining an organization, a significant life transition.
• Example 5:
  • 随着新年的到来，我们进入了新的十年。
  • Pinyin: Suízhe xīnnián de dàolái, wǒmen jìnrù le xīn de shí nián.
  • English: With the arrival of the new year, we have entered a new decade.
  • Analysis: This is a very common figurative use for time, marking the transition into a new era or period.
• Example 6:
  • 消防员进入火场去救人。
  • Pinyin: Xiāofángyuán jìnrù huǒchǎng qù jiù rén.
  • English: The firefighters entered the fiery scene to save people.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates a serious, physical entry into a dangerous space. The formality of 进入 fits the gravity of the situation.
• Example 7:
  • 禁止车辆进入此区域。
  • Pinyin: Jìnzhǐ chēliàng jìnrù cǐ qūyù.
  • English: Vehicles are prohibited from entering this area.
  • Analysis: This is typical “signage Chinese”—formal, direct, and unambiguous. You will see this written on signs everywhere.
• Example 8:
  • 比赛进入了最后阶段。
  • Pinyin: Bǐsài jìnrù le zuìhòu jiēduàn.
  • English: The competition has entered its final stage.
  • Analysis: Another abstract use, referring to the progression of an event or process into its next phase.
• Example 9:
  • 他闭上眼睛，很快就进入了梦乡。
  • Pinyin: Tā bì shàng yǎnjīng, hěn kuài jiù jìnrù le mèngxiāng.
  • English: He closed his eyes and quickly entered dreamland (fell asleep).
  • Analysis: A more poetic, figurative use for entering the state of sleep. `梦乡 (mèngxiāng)` literally means “dream village.”
• Example 10:
  • 为了进入决赛，每个运动员都拼尽了全力。
  • Pinyin: Wèile jìnrù juésài, měi ge yùndòngyuán dōu pīn jìn le quánlì.
  • English: In order to enter the final match, every athlete gave it their all.
  • Analysis: Used here for advancing to the next round of a competition, a key milestone.

• `进入 (jìnrù)` vs. `进来 (jìnlái)` / `进去 (jìnqù)`: This is the most common mistake for learners.
  • 进入 is a formal verb that simply means “to enter.” It doesn't depend on the speaker's location.
  • 进来 (jìnlái) means “to come in” (movement towards the speaker). Use it when you are inside and someone is coming in. (e.g., “快进来！” - Quick, come in!).
  • 进去 (jìnqù) means “to go in” (movement away from the speaker). Use it when you are outside and someone is going in. (e.g., “你先进去吧。” - You go in first.).
  • Mistake: Saying “请进入我的家” (Please enter my house) to a friend. It's grammatically correct but sounds robotic and overly formal. Correct: “请进 (qǐng jìn)!” or “进来吧 (jìnlái ba)!”
• `进入 (jìnrù)` vs. `输入 (shūrù)`: In English, we “enter” a password. In Chinese, these are two different actions.
  • 输入 (shūrù) means “to input” or “to type,” referring to data entry with a keyboard.
  • 进入 (jìnrù) means “to enter” or “to access” the system after the data has been inputted.
  • Correct sequence: 你需要输入(shūrù)密码来进入(jìnrù)你的账户。 (You need to input the password to enter your account.)

• 进来 (jìnlái) - A directional complement meaning “to come in” (towards the speaker). Much more common in casual speech.
• 进去 (jìnqù) - A directional complement meaning “to go in” (away from the speaker). Also very common in casual speech.
• 入口 (rùkǒu) - Noun. The entrance, the way in. (e.g., 地铁入口 - subway entrance).
• 输入 (shūrù) - Verb. To input, as in typing data or a password. A common “false friend.”
• 加入 (jiārù) - Verb. To join, to become a member of a group, party, or team. It emphasizes becoming part of a collective.
• 参加 (cānjiā) - Verb. To participate in, to attend an event, meeting, or activity.
• 闯入 (chuǎngrù) - Verb. To burst in, to intrude, to trespass. Has a strong, often negative, connotation of forcing one's way in.
• 入伍 (rùwǔ) - Verb. To enlist in the military, to join the army. A very specific use of `入`.