verb

hineingehen

go in · go inside

Sich von außen nach innen in einen Raum oder ein Gebäude bewegen.

Definition & meaning

hineingehen means to go in, to enter, or to go inside a place. It describes movement from outside toward the inside, usually from the speaker’s or a reference person’s perspective.

Sie geht ins Haus hinein. — She goes into the house.
Bitte gehen Sie hinein. — Please go inside.

It can also mean to fit into something or to be able to be put inside, especially when referring to objects:

Der Koffer geht nicht in den Schrank hinein. — The suitcase does not fit inside the cupboard.

The verb can be used literally for entering a physical space. In some contexts, it may also be used figuratively to describe entering a situation or becoming deeply involved in something.

Grammar & Word origin

hineingehen is a separable verb:

Infinitive: hineingehen
Present tense: ich gehe hinein — I go in
Simple past: ich ging hinein — I went in
Perfect tense: ich bin hineingegangen — I went in / I have gone in
Imperative: Geh hinein! — Go inside!

It is formed from:

hinein — inwards, into a place
gehen — to go

The prefix hinein indicates movement toward the inside. In everyday speech, reingehen is often used instead of hineingehen.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms

reingehen — to go in; more colloquial and very common in everyday speech
eintreten — to enter; somewhat more formal and often used for entering a building or room
betreten — to enter or set foot on; more formal and often focuses on the act of entering a place

Antonyms

hinausgehen — to go out; movement from the inside to the outside
herausgehen — to go out or come out; emphasizes movement toward the speaker or a reference point
draußen bleiben — to stay outside rather than entering