drin
inside
Colloquial short form of 'darin' (in it/inside it); indicates that something is located inside something.
EXAMPLE
Schau mal in die Schachtel, was ist da drin?
Look in the box—what's inside?
drin
inside / possible
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Meanings
drin sein
to be possible
Colloquial for being possible or included in the budget.
EXAMPLE
Ein neuer Fernseher ist dieses Jahr finanziell leider nicht drin.
A new TV unfortunately isn't financially possible this year.
drin sein
to be into
Colloquial for being well informed about or involved in a topic or subject matter.
EXAMPLE
Wenn du Fragen zur neuen Software hast, frag Alex, der ist da voll drin.
If you have questions about the new software, ask Alex—he's totally into it.
Usage tips
Colloquial form
'Drin' (inside/in it) is the colloquial and very common short form of 'darin' (in it/inside it). In written and formal language, you should generally use 'darin' instead.
EXAMPLE
Was ist in dieser Kiste drin?
What's inside this box?
Word order
In its literal meaning, 'drin' often appears at the end of a main clause or question. It emphasizes the position inside something.
EXAMPLE
Mach bitte die Tür zu, es ist kalt. Wir bleiben lieber drin.
Please close the door; it's cold. We'd rather stay inside.
Fixed expression: possibility
The phrase 'etwas ist drin' (something is possible) means that something is possible or doable, often with reference to money or time. The negative 'ist nicht drin' (is not possible) is very common.
EXAMPLE
Eine Gehaltserhöhung ist dieses Jahr leider nicht drin.
A salary increase unfortunately isn't possible this year.
Fixed expression: expertise
The colloquial phrase '(in einem Thema) drin sein' (to be into/up to speed on a topic) means to know a lot about something or to be deeply involved in it. It is often intensified with adverbs like 'voll' (totally) or 'tief' (deeply).
EXAMPLE
Er programmiert seit 10 Jahren, der ist da tief drin.
He's been programming for 10 years; he's deeply involved in it.
Compare with
drin vs darin
in it / therein
Darin and drin can both express that something is inside a container that has been mentioned. Darin is neutral and refers more clearly to the container; drin is the colloquial short form and is especially suitable in casual conversation.
drin
Mach die Schachtel auf, denn der Schlüssel ist drin.
Open the box because the key is inside.
darin
Die Schachtel ist verschlossen, und der Schlüssel liegt darin.
The box is locked, and the key is inside it.
In real life
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