All German word comparisons · Back to the topic overview
Meaning, sentence patterns and examples
| Word | Core meaning | Typical context | Grammar |
|---|---|---|---|
| hinein | in; into there | entering an interior treated as over there | direction adverb; unchanged; can form separable verb particles |
| herein | in; into here | an invitation from inside; entry toward the here-point | direction adverb; unchanged; separable in verbs such as hereinkommen |
| drinnen | inside; indoors | where someone or something is; indoor activities | location adverb; unchanged; no case requirement |
hinein
Meaning and usage: Hinein directs movement from outside or a larger area into an interior. The usual perspective points toward “there inside.” It can also extend figuratively into a time period.
Grammar: Adverb: no noun article, plural, or case form. A separate in phrase names the destination and uses accusative: in den Laden hinein. With a verb such as hineingehen, hinein is separable: ich gehe hinein; ich bin hineingegangen. The adverb alone does not govern a case.
Wir standen vor dem Laden und gingen dann hinein.
We stood outside the shop and then went in.
Sie stellte die Tasche in den Schrank hinein.
She put the bag into the cupboard.
herein
Meaning and usage: Herein means from outside to here inside. Someone already in a room can invite another person to come herein. The viewpoint differs from hinein; colloquial rein often covers both.
Grammar: Adverb: unchanged. In hereinkommen, the element separates in a normal main clause: er kommt herein; perfect ist hereingekommen. An imperative invitation is Komm herein! An added in phrase can identify the destination; the destination preposition supplies the case.
Ich sitze im Büro. Komm bitte herein, die Tür ist offen.
I'm sitting in the office. Please come in; the door is open.
drinnen
Meaning and usage: Drinnen says that something is within a room or an interior. It does not mean entering it. Drinnen can include movement: children can play or run indoors. It need not describe a motionless activity.
Grammar: Duden classifies drinnen as a pronominal adverb. It stays unchanged and does not govern a case. An added location phrase uses its own grammar: drinnen im Haus. The everyday shorter form is drin; it is distinct from direction-related rein.
Die Kinder spielen drinnen, weil es regnet.
The children are playing indoors because it is raining.
Mein Schlüssel liegt drinnen auf dem Tisch.
My key is inside on the table.
Overlap and context
From outside, someone goes hinein; from inside, you invite them herein; once inside, they are drinnen. This illustrates the usual orientation. Colloquial rein does not specify the hin/her contrast, while drin describes location. Do not use drinnen merely because a movement verb appears: ask whether you are describing a destination or an activity's location.
Common mistakes
- Do not say Ich gehe drinnen when you mean entering; use hinein, herein, or colloquial rein.
- Do not confuse rein with drin: one indicates inward direction, the other location.
- Do not claim drinnen forbids movement; drinnen laufen means running indoors.
- Do not attribute accusative to the adverb itself; in den Raum supplies the case.
Memory aid: Hinein: into there. Herein: into here. Drinnen: already inside.
Try it
You are inside your office and invite a visitor at the door. Choose: Komm bitte ___.
Show the answer
herein
The visitor moves from outside to your here-point inside the room. Rein is the common colloquial alternative.