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How to Say "to enter" in Spanish

English → Spanish

entrar

/en-TRAR//enˈtɾaɾ/

VerbA1General
Use 'entrar' when referring to the physical act of going inside a specific location or space.
A child stepping into a house through an open red door.

Examples

Por favor, entra y siéntate.

Please, come in and sit down.

Los estudiantes entran en la clase a las ocho.

The students enter the classroom at eight.

¿Podemos entrar por la puerta de atrás?

Can we go in through the back door?

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.

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.

pasar

/pa-sar//paˈsaɾ/

VerbA2Informal
Use 'pasar' when inviting someone to come into a place, often with a sense of welcome or to move through a space.
A welcoming, brightly lit open doorway leading into a cozy, colorful living room, with a clear path inviting entry.

Examples

¡Hola! Por favor, pasa, estás en tu casa.

Hello! Please, come in, make yourself at home.

El profesor nos dijo que podíamos pasar al aula.

The teacher told us we could enter the classroom.

Entrar vs. Pasar for 'to enter'

Learners often confuse 'entrar' and 'pasar' when inviting someone in. While 'entrar' is about the physical act of entering, 'pasar' is more about the invitation and making someone feel welcome, often implying they should move further into the space.

Related Translations

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