While 进来 (jìnlái) is a very practical term, its use is deeply tied to Chinese customs of hospitality. A warm, welcoming “请进来!” (qǐng jìnlái - “please come in!”) is a fundamental part of inviting guests into one's home or office. It's a simple but important gesture of openness and respect. The biggest cultural-linguistic difference for Western learners is the concept of speaker-centric direction. In English, we use prepositions that are neutral to the speaker's location: “Come in,” “Go in.” The word “in” doesn't change. In Chinese, the verb itself changes based on your location.
This reflects a linguistic viewpoint where the speaker's position is the primary reference point for describing actions in space. Mastering this concept is a huge step towards thinking in Chinese.
进来 (jìnlái) is used constantly in everyday life.
Its formality depends on the context. A sharp “进来!” can be a command, while “请进来” (qǐng jìnlái) is universally polite.
The single most common mistake for English speakers is confusing 进来 (jìnlái) with its opposite, 进去 (jìnqù). The Golden Rule: Your choice depends on the speaker's location.
Common Mistake Example:
Understanding 进来 (jìnlái) is the key to mastering the entire system of Chinese directional complements.