Most often, you’ll say “Pasa” or “Pase,” choosing the one that matches how formal you want to sound.
You’re at the door, someone’s waiting, and English gives you one easy line: “Come inside.” Spanish gives you a few, and each one carries a slightly different feel. Pick the right one and you sound warm and natural. Pick the wrong one and you can sound stiff, pushy, or like you’re repeating a sign on a clinic wall.
This guide breaks down the most common options, when to use each, and how to say them so they land the way you mean. You’ll get short scripts you can borrow, plus practice ideas you can do in a minute.
What “Come Inside” Means In Real Spanish
In English, “come inside” can mean “enter the building,” but it can also mean “you’re invited.” Spanish often separates those ideas. Many Spanish invitations use pasar (“to come in / to step in”) as the friendly, day-to-day verb. Entrar (“to enter”) is also correct, but it can feel more direct, like an instruction.
That’s why you’ll hear “Pasa” at a friend’s door far more often than “Entra.” In a formal setting, you’ll hear “Pase,” sometimes paired with “por favor” to soften it.
How To Say ‘Come Inside’ In Spanish For Daily Situations
If you want one safe, natural choice for most casual moments, go with Pasa. It’s the informal “you” form, used with friends, family, classmates, and kids. If you’re speaking to someone with more distance, use Pase, the formal “you” form.
Casual Options You’ll Hear All The Time
- Pasa. Simple and friendly. Often said with a smile and a hand gesture toward the doorway.
- Pasa, por favor. Same idea, a touch softer.
- Pasa adelante. “Come in, go on in.” Common when you’re already inside and want them to move past the entrance.
- Adelante. “Go ahead.” Works as a quick invitation on its own.
Polite And Formal Options
- Pase. The classic polite invite.
- Pase, por favor. Warm and respectful, great for visitors, clients, neighbors you don’t know well.
- Puede pasar. “You can come in.” Sounds a bit more official, common in offices.
Direct “Enter” Options
These are correct, but they can sound more like a command than an invitation, depending on tone and situation:
- Entra. Informal “enter.”
- Entre. Formal “enter.” Also used in signs and announcements.
- Entra, por favor. Softer than “Entra” alone.
Choose The Right Verb: “Pasar” Vs. “Entrar”
Here’s the fast way to choose. Use pasar when you’re welcoming someone in. Use entrar when you’re giving a clear direction to enter, or when the setting already feels official.
When “Pasa / Pase” Fits Best
Use it at home, at a friend’s place, when greeting a guest, or when you want the line to feel like an invitation. It often pairs well with friendly follow-ups like “siéntate” (have a seat) or “ponte cómodo” (make yourself comfortable).
When “Entra / Entre” Fits Best
Use it when someone is hesitating and you need to be clearer, or when the setting feels procedural, like a classroom, clinic, or office. If you want to keep it friendly, add “por favor” and keep your voice light.
Common Phrases, Tone, And Where They Work Best
| Spanish Phrase | Best Use | Feel |
|---|---|---|
| Pasa | Friends, family, casual visitors | Warm, relaxed |
| Pasa, por favor | Casual, when you want extra softness | Polite, friendly |
| Pasa adelante | Inviting someone past the entryway | Welcoming, guiding |
| Adelante | Quick invite, often from inside | Short, natural |
| Pase | Older adults, clients, formal guests | Respectful |
| Pase, por favor | Formal invite with warmth | Gentle, polite |
| Puede pasar | Offices, waiting rooms, appointments | Official, clear |
| Entra | Casual, but more direct | Firm |
| Entre | Formal, also signage style | Procedural |
Mini Scripts You Can Use At A Door
It helps to have a full line ready, not just one word. Here are a few you can copy as-is.
Friend Arrives At Your Place
You: ¡Hola! Pasa. ¿Cómo estás?
Friend: ¡Gracias! Todo bien. ¿Y tú?
Neighbor You Don’t Know Well
You: Buenas tardes. Pase, por favor.
Neighbor: Muchas gracias.
Someone Waiting In An Office
You: Buen día. Puede pasar.
Visitor: Gracias.
Calling Someone In From The Hall
You:Adelante, pasa adelante. Siéntate aquí.
Pronunciation That Sounds Natural
Spanish invitations are short, so pronunciation stands out. Here’s what to aim for:
- Pasa: PA-sah. The “s” stays crisp. The final “a” is open, not clipped.
- Pase: PA-seh. Two clear syllables. The “e” sounds like “eh.”
- Adelante: ah-deh-LAN-teh. Stress on “LAN.”
- Entre: EN-treh. The “r” is a quick tap for many speakers.
If you’re learning, a trick is to pair the phrase with a natural gesture. Extend your hand toward the doorway as you say “Pasa” or “Pase.” It helps your timing and makes the invitation feel sincere. Step aside and hold the door open.
Politeness Shortcuts That Don’t Sound Stiff
English speakers sometimes add extra words to be polite. In Spanish, you can keep it short and still sound kind. These add-ons are small but effective:
- por favor — use it when you want a softer tone.
- cuando quieras — “whenever you’d like,” good with close friends.
- si gustas — “if you’d like,” common in parts of Latin America.
- con permiso — used when you are the one entering or passing, not when inviting someone in.
Two Phrases People Mix Up
“Pasa” invites the other person in. “Permiso” is what you say when you’re stepping in or squeezing past someone. If you’re the host, “Pasa” is the one you want.
Regional Notes You Might Hear
Spanish is shared across many countries, so you’ll hear variations. The good news: “Pasa” and “Pase” are widely understood. Some regions lean on certain add-ons more than others.
Spain
“Pasa” and “Pasa adelante” are common in casual settings. You may also hear “Entra” among friends, said lightly, with a friendly tone.
Mexico And Much Of Central America
“Pásele” is a common polite invite in Mexico. It’s the same idea as “Pase,” with a regional flavor. You may hear it in shops and homes alike.
You might also hear “Pase usted” in careful, respectful speech. In shops, staff may call “¡Pásele!” to invite you past the doorway. At home, it can sound friendly when said with a warm tone and a simple follow-up like “siéntese” (have a seat).
Caribbean Spanish
You’ll still hear “Pasa,” and you may notice faster speech and dropped sounds in casual talk. Listening for the rhythm helps more than trying to catch every letter.
Common Mistakes And Easy Fixes
Using The Wrong Level Of Formality
If you say “Pasa” to someone you’d speak to formally, it can feel too familiar. If you say “Pase” to a close friend, it can sound playful or oddly distant. When unsure, “Pase, por favor” is the safer pick.
Sounding Like A Sign Instead Of A Host
“Entre” shows up on signs, so it can feel official. If you’re inviting someone into your home, “Pase” or “Pasa” often feels more human.
Forgetting The Follow-Through
Spanish invitations often come with a next step. One short line keeps things flowing:
- Siéntate aquí. (Sit here.)
- ¿Quieres agua o café? (Do you want water or coffee?)
- Deja tus cosas aquí. (Leave your things here.)
Practice Drills You Can Do In Two Minutes
To make the phrase stick, practice it in a few “real” scenes. Say each line out loud three times, changing your tone to match the moment.
- Friend at the door: “¡Hola! Pasa.”
- Teacher calling a student: “Pase, por favor.”
- Office setting: “Puede pasar.”
- Guest hesitating: “Adelante, pasa adelante.”
Next, switch speakers. Say the invite, then answer as the guest: “Gracias.” That response trains your brain to treat it like a real exchange.
Plural And Question Forms You’ll Actually Use
Sometimes you’re inviting more than one person, or you want to sound a bit less direct by turning it into a question. Spanish makes that easy, and these forms sound natural at a door.
Inviting Two Or More People
- Pasen. “Come in.” Informal plural in many regions.
- Pasen, por favor. Polite plural invite.
- Pasen adelante. “Come in, go on in.” Great when the entry is narrow.
- Pasad. Plural informal used in Spain.
Making It A Question
Questions can feel gentler, especially with someone you don’t know well or when they look unsure.
- ¿Quieres pasar? Informal: “Do you want to come in?”
- ¿Quiere pasar? Formal: “Would you like to come in?”
- ¿Pasa? Short, informal check-in. Tone matters; keep it friendly.
Situations Beyond A Front Door
“Come inside” shows up in lots of places besides homes. A small tweak can make your Spanish match the setting.
Classroom Or Tutor Session
If a student is waiting outside, a teacher might say “Pase” or “Puede pasar.” If you’re talking to a group, “Pasen” works well. Pair it with a clear next step like “tomen asiento” (take a seat) to keep things moving.
Intercom, Door Buzzer, Or Video Call
When you can’t physically open the door, people often add a tiny cue: “Ya” (now) or “Ya puedes pasar” (you can come in now). It sounds natural and removes confusion about timing.
Decision Table For Real Life
| Situation | Best Phrase | Optional Add-On |
|---|---|---|
| Close friend at your door | Pasa | cuando quieras |
| Older neighbor or new acquaintance | Pase | por favor |
| Guest needs a gentle push to enter | Pase | pase adelante |
| Calling someone from a waiting area | Puede pasar | — |
| You’re already inside and guiding them | Pasa adelante | siéntate |
| Direct instruction | Entre / Entra | por favor |
Extra Variations That Sound Native
Once you’re comfortable, you can add these to your list. They’re not required, but they’re handy.
- Pasa, estás en tu casa. A warm way to say “make yourself at home.”
- Pase, si gusta. Polite and common in many Latin American settings.
- Adelante, no te quedes afuera. “Come on in, don’t stay outside.”
- Ven, pasa. “Come on, come in.” Natural with someone you know well.
Wrap-Up: Your Best Default Line
If you want a one-line answer you can use most days, pick Pasa for casual moments and Pase, por favor for polite moments. They’re short, they’re widely understood, and they sound like something a real host would say at a door.