entrar
/en-TRAR/
to enter
The action of moving from outside to inside a physical space, such as a child entering a house.
entrar(Verb)
to enter
?going into a physical space
,to go in
?moving from outside to inside
,to come in
?entering the place where the speaker is
to get in
?managing to enter, e.g., a car
📝 In Action
Por favor, entra y siéntate.
A1Please, come in and sit down.
Los estudiantes entran en la clase a las ocho.
A1The students enter the classroom at eight.
¿Podemos entrar por la puerta de atrás?
A2Can we go in through the back door?
💡 Grammar Points
Which Word to Use After 'Entrar'?
When you say you're entering a place, you usually need to add 'en' or 'a' right after 'entrar'. For example, 'Entro en la tienda' (I enter the store). Using 'en' is very common everywhere, while 'a' is also frequently used, especially in Latin America.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting 'en' or 'a'
Mistake: "Voy a entrar la casa."
Correction: Voy a entrar en la casa. (or 'a la casa'). In English, you 'enter the house,' but in Spanish, you need that little word 'en' or 'a' to connect the action to the place.
⭐ Usage Tips
'Entra' vs. 'Pasa'
When inviting someone into your home, saying 'Pasa' or 'Pasa, pasa' (Come in, come in) often sounds more friendly and natural than 'Entra'.
To join an organization or start a new phase, such as a student beginning university.
entrar(Verb)
to join
?an organization, a team
,to start
?university, a job
to get into
?e.g., a good school
,to begin
?a career, a competition
📝 In Action
Mi hijo entra en la universidad el próximo año.
A2My son starts university next year.
Entré a trabajar aquí hace dos meses.
B1I started working here two months ago.
El equipo entró en la competición con mucha energía.
B1The team entered the competition with a lot of energy.
⭐ Usage Tips
From Physical to Figurative
This meaning is a figurative use of 'entering' a place. You're not physically walking into 'a job,' but you are entering a new phase or organization. The same prepositions, 'en' and 'a', are used.
When an object has the right dimensions to fit or go into a specific space.
📝 In Action
El sofá no entra por la puerta.
B1The sofa doesn't fit through the door.
Esta llave no entra en la cerradura.
B1This key doesn't go in the lock.
¿Crees que toda la ropa entrará en una sola maleta?
B2Do you think all the clothes will fit in just one suitcase?
⭐ Usage Tips
'Entrar' vs. 'Caber'
Use 'entrar' when something can't pass through an opening (like a door). Use 'caber' when a container isn't big enough to hold something. 'El sofá no entra por la puerta' (The sofa won't go through the door). 'El sofá no cabe en el salón' (The sofa doesn't fit in the living room).
To be overcome by a sudden emotion or physical state, such as feeling sleepy after eating.
entrar(Verb)
to be seized by
?a sudden feeling
,to be overcome with
?a strong emotion or state
to suddenly feel
?e.g., sleepy, hungry
,to get
?e.g., to get sleepy
📝 In Action
Cuando vi la araña, me entró un miedo terrible.
B2When I saw the spider, I was seized by a terrible fear.
Después de comer, siempre me entra sueño.
B1After eating, I always get sleepy.
De repente, le entraron ganas de llorar.
B2Suddenly, she felt the urge to cry.
💡 Grammar Points
A Different Sentence Structure
This works like 'gustar'. The feeling is the main actor, and it 'enters' you. You say 'me entró miedo' (fear entered me), not 'yo entré miedo'. The little words 'me', 'te', 'le', etc., show who is feeling the emotion.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the Wrong 'Actor'
Mistake: "Yo entré sueño."
Correction: Me entró sueño. Think of it literally: 'Sleepiness entered me.' The sleepiness is doing the action, and 'me' shows it happened to me.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: entrar
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence best translates to 'The pants don't fit me anymore'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the real difference between 'entrar en' and 'entrar a'?
Great question! For the most part, they mean the same thing: 'to enter'. 'Entrar en' is universally correct and used everywhere. 'Entrar a' is also very common, especially in Latin America. You can't go wrong with 'entrar en', but you will hear 'entrar a' a lot, so it's good to know they're interchangeable when talking about entering a place.
Can I just say 'Entro la tienda' without 'en' or 'a'?
In Spanish, you almost always need that little connecting word ('en' or 'a') when you enter a physical place. While a native speaker would understand you, it sounds unnatural. Always try to remember: 'entrar en un lugar' or 'entrar a un lugar'.