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入る
hairu
enter
ドアを開けて部屋に入った。
I opened the door and entered the room.
neutral
To go or come into a place; to enter.
電車に入る。
I get on the train.
この部屋には誰も入ってはいけません。
No one is allowed to enter this room.
Used for physical entry into a space, not for abstract concepts like 'entering a conversation' (use 入る/加わる).
neutral
To be included or contained within something; to fit inside.
この箱には本が5冊入る。
This box can hold five books.
この鞄には laptop が入る。
This bag fits a laptop.
Often used with the potential form (入る) to indicate capacity.
neutral
To begin a period or state; to start.
雨が入った。
It started raining.
新学期が入った。
The new semester has begun.
Common in weather and seasonal contexts.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Potential Form
The potential form of 入る is 入れる (can enter). However, in modern Japanese, 入る itself is often used in potential contexts (e.g., この部屋には10人が入る 'This room can hold 10 people').
Gold Rule
Transitivity
入る is intransitive (no direct object). For transitive actions (putting something in), use 入れる (e.g., 本を棚に入れる 'to put a book on the shelf').
Word Origin
From Old Japanese verb 'iru' (居る), with the meaning 'to enter' emerging in the Heian period. The kanji '入' (onyomi: ニュウ, kunyomi: い.る/はい.る) reflects the concept of entering a space.
Usage Notes
入る is intransitive and cannot take a direct object. Use 入れる (transitive) when something is being put into a container or space. The verb often appears in compound verbs like 入り込む (to penetrate deeply) or 入り混じる (to mix thoroughly).
Word Breakdown
入
enter
root和英辞典