into it / in
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into it / in
(elevated, becoming archaic) A shortened form of 'darein' (into it, into there). It describes an action, a look, or an utterance that occurs into a situation or in a direction, often with a certain suddenness or intensity.
Warum schaust du denn so finster drein?
Why are you looking so gloomy?
'Drein' (into it, in) is an old contracted form of 'darein', which means roughly 'hinein' (into, in). This origin helps you understand its directional meaning.
Plötzlich redete er einfach drein, ohne zu fragen.
Suddenly he just cut in without asking.
This word belongs to an elevated style and is only rarely used today. It often sounds literary or poetic.
Der alte Mann blickte nachdenklich drein.
The old man looked thoughtful.
'Drein' (into it, in) is used almost only in fixed combinations with certain verbs. The most common are 'dreinschauen' or 'dreinblicken' (to look a certain way, to have a certain expression) and 'dreinreden' (to interrupt someone).
Schau nicht so traurig drein, es wird alles gut!
Don't look so sad; everything will be all right!
in it / therein
Darin usually describes the position of something inside a mentioned container. Drein, by contrast, describes directed movement into something and sounds elevated or archaic. Darin is therefore usually used for a location, while drein can be used for a deliberately marked movement into something.
Die Suppe kochte bereits, und der Koch warf das Gemüse drein.
The soup was already boiling, and the cook threw the vegetables into it.
Die Suppe war fertig, und das Gemüse schwamm bereits darin.
The soup was ready, and the vegetables were already floating in it.
