01
hinein
into
Expresses movement from outside to inside a room, container, or area. The perspective is outside the destination.
example
Schau mal durch das Fenster ins Zimmer hinein.
Take a look through the window into the room.
hinein
in / into
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Meanings
01 / 02
Usage tips
Word structure
'Hinein' (in/into) is a directional adverb made up of 'hin' and 'ein'. 'Hin' describes movement away from the speaker, and 'ein' means into something.
EXAMPLE
Er ging langsam in die dunkle Höhle hinein.
He slowly went into the dark cave.
As a separable prefix
'Hinein' (in/into) can be combined with many verbs to form a new separable verb, e.g. 'hineingehen' (to go in), 'hineinschauen' (to look in). In a main clause, the prefix goes at the end; in a subordinate clause, the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Bitte gehen Sie schon mal ins Wartezimmer hinein.
Please go on into the waiting room.
Context clue
You can recognize the spatial meaning (m01) from verbs of movement and location information. You can recognize the temporal meaning (m02) from time expressions such as 'Nacht' (night), 'Tag' (day), or 'Zukunft' (future).
EXAMPLE
Er kletterte vorsichtig in den Brunnen hinein.
He climbed carefully into the well.
Use with preposition
'Hinein' (in/into) is often used together with a prepositional phrase that describes the destination of the movement more precisely. The adverb 'hinein' then reinforces the direction.
EXAMPLE
Die Katze sprang mit einem Satz in den Karton hinein.
The cat jumped into the box in one leap.
Compare with
hinein vs in
in
'in' and 'hinein' can both express movement inward. 'in' is a preposition and is used with a noun, for example 'in den Raum' (into the room) or 'in die Tasche' (into the bag). 'hinein' is an adverb and emphasizes movement from outside to inside. It can stand on its own when it is clear where the movement is going, or it can be used additionally with a place. Learners confuse the words because both occur with movements into an area. A practical rule: if you need a noun directly after it, often use 'in'. If you want to emphasize the direction inward, 'hinein' fits.
hinein
Als es kalt wird, gehen wir schnell hinein.
When it gets cold, we quickly go inside.
in
Das Kind legt den Ball in die Kiste.
The child puts the ball into the box.
In real life
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