进来

• Pinyin: jìn lái
• Hanzi breakdown: 进 (enter) + 来 (come) — to come in towards the speaker

Meaning

To come in. Indicates movement from outside to inside, towards the speaker.

A directional complement combining 进 (enter) with 来 (come, towards speaker). Used when inviting someone in or describing someone entering the space where the speaker is. Contrast with 进去 (go in, away from speaker).

Examples

1. 外面冷，快进来吧！ It's cold outside, come in quickly!
2. 老师进来了。 The teacher came in.
3. 请进来坐。 Please come in and sit down.

Usage Guide

Context: movement, everyday

Tone: welcoming

Do Say

• 请进来！(Please come in!)
• 快进来，外面下雨了。(Come in quickly, it's raining outside.)

Don't Say

• 我进来了他的房间。(If entering someone else's space away from the speaker, use 进去 not 进来)

Origin & History

Compound of 进 (enter) and 来 (come) — to come inward toward the speaker.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal