eindringen
to intrude
To gain access to a place by force or without permission.
EXAMPLE
Die Diebe sind durch ein Kellerfenster in das Haus eingedrungen.
The thieves intruded into the house through a basement window.
eindringen
to penetrate / intrude
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
eindringen
to penetrate
To get into something or pass through it. Can refer to liquids, light, sounds, or also abstract things.
EXAMPLE
Durch das Leck im Dach konnte Wasser in den Dachboden eindringen.
Through the leak in the roof, water was able to penetrate the attic.
auf jemanden eindringen
to pressure someone
To persistently and forcefully persuade or pressure someone to do something.
EXAMPLE
Seine Eltern drangen auf ihn ein, endlich sein Studium abzuschließen.
His parents pressured him to finally finish his studies.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Eindringen' (to penetrate / intrude) is a separable verb. The prefix 'ein-' goes at the end in main clauses. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive, the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Der Dieb drang nachts in das Museum ein.
The thief broke into the museum at night.
Word structure
The verb consists of the prefix 'ein-' (into) and the verb 'dringen' (to press, push). The literal meaning is therefore to push or force one's way into something, often against resistance.
EXAMPLE
Der Splitter ist tief in die Haut eingedrungen.
The splinter penetrated deep into the skin.
Correct preposition
The preposition changes depending on the meaning. With physical penetration or intrusion (into a place or material), you use 'in' + accusative. When pressuring someone, it is 'auf' + accusative.
EXAMPLE
Feuchtigkeit ist in die Wand eingedrungen.
Moisture penetrated the wall.
Typical collocations
In the context of unauthorized entry, 'eindringen' (to intrude) is often combined with places. Typical phrases are: 'in ein Haus eindringen' (to break into a house), 'in ein fremdes Gebiet eindringen' (to invade foreign territory), or, in a digital sense, 'in ein Netzwerk eindringen' (to penetrate a network).
EXAMPLE
Hacker sind in die Datenbank des Unternehmens eingedrungen.
Hackers penetrated the company's database.
Compare with
eindringen vs hacken
to chop / hack
Hacken and eindringen can both describe gaining unauthorized access to a computer system. Hacken usually focuses on the system being attacked as the object: You hack a network. Eindringen emphasizes gaining access and is usually used with „in“ (into).
eindringen
Die Täter drangen ohne Erlaubnis in das Firmennetzwerk ein.
The perpetrators broke into the company's network without permission.
hacken
Die Täter hackten das Firmennetzwerk und stahlen wichtige Daten.
The perpetrators hacked the company's network and stole important data.
In real life
Loading video examples...