Keywords: qing jin, qǐng jìn, 请进, come in please, please enter in Chinese, how to say come in in Chinese, Chinese for please enter, polite Chinese phrases, Chinese etiquette, welcoming guests in Chinese, HSK 1 vocabulary.
Summary: Learn how to say “Please, come in” in Mandarin Chinese with the essential phrase 请进 (qǐng jìn). This entry breaks down the characters, explains the cultural importance of hospitality in China, and provides numerous practical examples. Whether you're welcoming a guest into your home or a colleague into your office, understanding 请进 (qǐng jìn) is a fundamental step in mastering polite and natural Chinese communication.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): qǐng jìn
Part of Speech: Verb Phrase
HSK Level: HSK 1
Concise Definition: A polite invitation for someone to enter a space.
In a Nutshell:请进 (qǐng jìn) is the direct and universally understood equivalent of “Please, come in” or “Please enter.” It combines the character for “please” (`请`) with the character for “to enter” (`进`), creating a short, polite, and welcoming phrase. It is one of the first and most important phrases for anyone learning to interact with Chinese speakers in a respectful way.
Character Breakdown
请 (qǐng): This character is the cornerstone of politeness in Chinese. It's composed of the “speech” radical (言) on the left and a phonetic component (青). It means “please,” “to invite,” or “to request.” Adding `请` before a verb instantly transforms a command into a polite request.
进 (jìn): This character means “to enter” or “to advance.” The character itself depicts something moving forward (the 辶 radical often relates to walking or movement).
Together, 请 (qǐng) + 进 (jìn) literally means “Please enter.” The structure is simple and logical, making it an easy phrase for beginners to master.
Cultural Context and Significance
In Chinese culture, being a gracious and welcoming host (好客, hàokè) is highly valued. The act of inviting someone into your personal space—be it your home or office—is a significant gesture of trust and respect. Using 请进 (qǐng jìn) is the standard, expected verbal cue that accompanies this gesture. It's a fundamental part of social etiquette.
Comparison to Western Culture: In English, one might casually say “Come on in!” or simply hold a door open with a nod. While these are also welcoming, 请进 (qǐng jìn) carries a slightly more explicit and baseline level of formal respect. It's less casual than “Come in!” but not as stiff as an English butler saying, “You may enter.” The presence of `请` (please) makes the invitation clear, respectful, and unambiguous, which aligns with cultural values that prioritize clarity and the avoidance of social awkwardness.
Practical Usage in Modern China
请进 (qǐng jìn) is an extremely common and versatile phrase used in daily life.
At Home: This is the most common scenario. When a guest knocks or rings the doorbell, you open the door and say, “请进!” often with a smile and a welcoming gesture.
In the Office: If a colleague or client knocks on your office door, you would call out “请进!” to invite them inside.
Formal and Informal: The phrase itself is neutral in formality and is appropriate for almost any situation. The tone of voice and body language will adjust the level of formality. A warm, smiling “请进!” to a friend is informal, while a more reserved “请进。” with a slight nod in a business meeting is more formal.
Example Sentences
Example 1:
(A knock is heard at the door) 请进！
Pinyin: (dōng dōng dōng) Qǐng jìn!
English: (Knock, knock, knock) Please come in!
Analysis: This is the most common and direct usage of the phrase in response to someone at the door.
English: A: May I come in? B: Of course, please come in, please sit.
Analysis: This example shows a typical sequence of hospitality. After inviting someone in with `请进`, it's very common to immediately offer them a seat with `请坐 (qǐng zuò)`.
Example 4:
王老师，您好！请进我的办公室。
Pinyin: Wáng lǎoshī, nín hǎo! Qǐng jìn wǒ de bàngōngshì.
English: Hello, Teacher Wang! Please come into my office.
Analysis: This demonstrates a more formal and respectful usage by including the person's title (王老师) and using the formal “you” (您, nín).
English: (A doctor says to a patient) Next, Mr. Li, please come in.
Analysis: This demonstrates usage in a professional, service-oriented context like a clinic or a bank.
Example 9:
里面请，请进，随便看看。
Pinyin: Lǐmiàn qǐng, qǐng jìn, suíbiàn kànkan.
English: This way please, please come in, and feel free to look around.
Analysis: A phrase you would commonly hear from a shopkeeper trying to welcome you into their store. `随便看看 (suíbiàn kànkan)` means “to look around casually.”
English: A: Excuse me, may I ask… B: It's no problem, please come in and talk.
Analysis: Here, `进来 (jìnlái)` (to come in) is combined with `说 (shuō)` (to speak), showing how `请进` can be part of a larger, fluid invitation.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
Common Mistake: Using only “进 (jìn)!”
It is a very common mistake for beginners to drop the polite `请 (qǐng)`. Saying just “进!” is a direct command, equivalent to “Enter!” in English. It sounds abrupt, demanding, and rude in almost all social contexts. It would only be appropriate in a situation like a military drill or an emergency.
Incorrect: (A friend knocks) “进!”
Correct: (A friend knocks) “请进!”
False Friend / Nuance: `请进` vs. “Come in”
While they translate directly, the English “Come in” can range from a neutral instruction to a very casual, almost dismissive utterance. 请进 (qǐng jìn), because it contains `请`, always maintains a baseline of politeness and respect. You cannot say `请进` rudely; you can only make it more or less formal/warm with your tone.
Related Terms and Concepts
请坐 (qǐng zuò) - Please sit. The phrase that very frequently follows `请进`.
请喝茶 (qǐng hē chá) - Please drink tea. Another core phrase of Chinese hospitality.
欢迎 (huānyíng) - Welcome. Often said at the same time as `请进` to be extra welcoming (e.g., `欢迎，请进！`).
进来 (jìnlái) - To come in. A neutral verb describing the action. You can also say `请进来 (qǐng jìnlái)`, which is slightly more emphatic than `请进`.
打扰一下 (dǎrǎo yīxià) - Excuse me / Sorry to bother you. What a person would say when knocking on a door, before being told `请进`.
慢走 (màn zǒu) - Literally “walk slowly,” this is the standard polite phrase said to a guest who is leaving. It's the social bookend to `请进`.
好客 (hàokè) - Hospitable. The cultural value of being a good host, which is demonstrated by using phrases like `请进`.
出门 (chūmén) - To go out; to leave the house. The opposite action of entering.