entrer in real spoken French
On this page
Speech prefers « rentrer », whatever the rule says.
Real spoken French
In everyday speech, French speakers say rentrer where the grammar book wants entrer: « je rentre dans le magasin ». Purists object; everyone does it. Understand it, and use entrer yourself in writing.
You will also hear « ça rentre pas » — it doesn’t fit — about anything from a suitcase to an idea. And « entre ! » or « rentre ! » alone is the informal come-in.
💡 Focus at this level: Native slang
👨🏫 How to use « entrer » at this level
1. Expect « rentrer » in speech. It is not an error worth correcting in others.
2. « Ça rentre pas » = it won’t fit.
3. Keep « entrer » for writing and exams.
Je rentre dans le magasin.I’m going into the shop.
Ça rentre pas.It doesn’t fit.
Entre, entre !Come in, come in!
Il est rentré chez lui.He went home.
🎮 Practise « entrer »
Play the free French games → · Back to the full « entrer » chart →
Learn faster with a native teacherYour first 20-minute lesson is free — no card, no commitment.
Book a free lesson