How to say "enter" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 入るいるgodan verb, intransitive verbRead いる, this is not the everyday reading for the plain sense 'enter'; that is the はいる reading below. In most learner contexts, if you mean 'enter', you will want はいる rather than いる.
- 入るはいるgodan verb, intransitive verbThe all-purpose word for 'enter': someone enters, goes in, comes in, or gets in. When you simply mean that someone goes into a room, building, or vehicle with no extra nuance, this is the word to reach for.
- 立ち入るたちいるgodan verb, intransitive verbTo enter or go into a place, often with the implication of stepping somewhere one should not — hence its 'trespass' sense. It is not the neutral word for simply walking into a room.
- 上がるあがるgodan verb, intransitive verbUsed for entering from outdoors, such as coming in or being invited in from outside. A narrower word than 入る, so it is not the general verb for 'enter'.
- 乗り込むのりこむgodan verb, intransitive verbTo enter somewhere forcefully — the 'march into' sense — or to arrive at a place. It suggests entering with force or purpose, not simply walking in; for the plain sense use 入る.
For plain 'enter' use 「入る」（はいる）; 「上がる」 covers entering from outdoors, 「立ち入る」 going into or trespassing somewhere, and 「乗り込む」 entering or arriving in a forceful way.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 入るいるto enter
- 入るはいるto enter
- 立ち入るたちいるto enter
- エンターenter
- 上がりこむあがりこむto enter (house, room, etc.)
- 踏み入るふみいるto step into
- 中へ入るなかへはいるto go (come) inside
- 足を踏み入れるあしをふみいれるto set foot into
- 敷居をまたぐしきいをまたぐto cross the threshold (of a house)
- 上がるあがるto enter (esp. from outdoors)
- インenter here
- 乗り込むのりこむto march into
- つけ込むつけこむto enter (an item in a ledger)
- 迎えるむかえるto reach (a certain time, a point in one's life, etc.)
- 打ち込むうちこむto input (data)
- 出るでるto attend
See also
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