The idea
For in, ask whether something is located within a place or moves into it. Use im Zimmer for location and ins Zimmer for a destination; motion within a place still uses dative.
One contrast, not a prediction about every learner
Portuguese em and its article contractions can express locations. German in distinguishes location from an entered destination through dative or accusative; Portuguese contractions such as no do not provide the German case ending.
Individual experience, dialect and other languages you know can change which comparisons help. Use the contrast to notice a German choice; do not treat it as a label for a whole group of people.
Repair the transfer
Ich gehe im Zimmer hinein.Ich gehe ins Zimmer hinein.For in, ask whether something is located within a place or moves into it. Use im Zimmer for location and ins Zimmer for a destination; motion within a place still uses dative.
Examples
- Die neuen Stühle stehen im hellen Nebenraum.The new chairs are in the bright side room.
- Wir tragen die neuen Stühle in den Nebenraum.We carry the new chairs into the side room.
- Meine Tasche liegt in der oberen Schublade.My bag is in the top drawer.
- Ich lege die Unterlagen in die obere Schublade.I put the documents into the top drawer.
- Im Park laufen heute mehrere kleine Gruppen.Several small groups are running in the park today.
- Nach der Pause gehen wir gemeinsam in den Park.After the break we go into the park together.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic German voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.
No German device voice is available. You can still read the text and use the linked listening resources.
Watch out
Do not generalize a source-language pattern to every German sentence. For in, ask whether something is located within a place or moves into it. Use im Zimmer for location and ins Zimmer for a destination; motion within a place still uses dative.
Try it yourself
Korrigiere: Ich gehe im Zimmer hinein.
Show answer or example answer
Ich gehe ins Zimmer hinein.
Ich gehe ins Zimmer hinein. For in, ask whether something is located within a place or moves into it. Use im Zimmer for location and ins Zimmer for a destination; motion within a place still uses dative.
Ins Deutsche übertragen: The new chairs are in the bright side room.
Show answer or example answer
Die neuen Stühle stehen im hellen Nebenraum.
Die neuen Stühle stehen im hellen Nebenraum. For in, ask whether something is located within a place or moves into it. Use im Zimmer for location and ins Zimmer for a destination; motion within a place still uses dative.
Ins Deutsche übertragen: Several small groups are running in the park today.
Show answer or example answer
Im Park laufen heute mehrere kleine Gruppen.
Im Park laufen heute mehrere kleine Gruppen. Keep the meaning of the whole sentence while using the German pattern.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
Korrigiere: Ich gehe im Zimmer hinein.
Ich gehe ins Zimmer hinein.
Ins Deutsche übertragen: The new chairs are in the bright side room.
Die neuen Stühle stehen im hellen Nebenraum.
Ins Deutsche übertragen: Several small groups are running in the park today.
Im Park laufen heute mehrere kleine Gruppen.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Keep your progress
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Write three German sentences of your own that follow the pattern of “Ich gehe ins Zimmer hinein.”. Check each one for the Brazilian Portuguese habit this lesson corrects, then read them aloud.