der  Eingang

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaɪ̯nɡaŋ/

🚪 What does "der Eingang" mean?

The noun der Eingang has several meanings:

• Entrance to a building or area: The most common meaning is the place through which one enters a location. It can be a door (Tür), a gate (Tor), or a more general area. Example: "Der Haupteingang des Museums ist um die Ecke." (The main entrance to the museum is around the corner.)
• Arrival or receipt of something: In a figurative sense, "Eingang" also refers to the arrival or receipt of mail (Post), messages (Nachrichten), payments (Zahlungen), or data (Daten). Example: "Wir bestätigen den Eingang Ihrer E-Mail." (We confirm receipt of your email.) or "Der Zahlungseingang wird verbucht." (The receipt of payment will be booked.)
• Beginning or start: Less commonly, it can also denote the beginning of something, e.g., the start of a text or a speech. Example: "Schon der Eingang des Buches fesselte mich." (Even the beginning of the book captivated me.)

🚨 It's important not to confuse der Eingang (entrance, receipt) with die Einfahrt (driveway, entrance for vehicles).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🔍 Grammar Deep Dive: Der Eingang

The word "Eingang" is a masculine noun. The article is der.

💡 Example Sentences

1. Der Eingang zum Park befindet sich dort drüben. (The entrance to the park is over there.)
2. Die Breite des Einganges / Eingangs ist genormt. (The width of the entrance is standardized.)
3. Nähern Sie sich dem Eingang bitte langsam. (Please approach the entrance slowly.)
4. Wir suchen den richtigen Eingang. (We are looking for the correct entrance.)
5. Das Gebäude hat mehrere Eingänge. (The building has several entrances.)
6. Die Gestaltung der Eingänge ist modern. (The design of the entrances is modern.)
7. An allen Eingängen stehen Sicherheitspersonal. (There is security personnel at all entrances.)
8. Bitte halten Sie die Eingänge frei! (Please keep the entrances clear!)
9. Nach Eingang der Unterlagen melden wir uns. (We will contact you upon receipt of the documents.)

When to use "der Eingang"?

"Der Eingang" is a versatile word:

• Architecture & Everyday Life: Most commonly, it describes the physical access to places like houses (Hauseingang), shops, parks (Parkeingang), stations (Bahnhofseingang), or offices (Büroeingang). You might talk about the Haupteingang (main entrance) or Nebeneingang (side entrance).
• Office & Administration: In a business context, it refers to the receipt or arrival of documents, payments, or messages (e.g., Posteingang - inbox/incoming mail, Zahlungseingang - receipt of payment, Wareneingang - goods receipt). Example: "Bitte vermerken Sie das Datum des Eingangs." (Please note the date of receipt.)
• Technology & IT: In technology, it describes an interface where signals or data are received (e.g., Audio-Eingang - audio input, USB-Eingang - USB input, Dateneingang - data input).
• Literature & Music: Less frequently, it's used for the beginning or introduction (Eingangslied - opening song, Eingangskapitel - opening chapter).

Distinguishing from similar words:

• Zugang (der): Often synonymous with physical Eingang, but also more abstract, meaning access or the possibility to enter or use something (e.g., Zugang zu Informationen - access to information).
• Einfahrt (die): Specifically the entrance for vehicles onto a property or into a garage.
• Pforte (die): Often a smaller, sometimes guarded entrance or gate.
• Portal (das): A representative, often large and artistically designed entrance.

💡 Mnemonics for "der Eingang"

For the article "der": Think of der Weg (the way), der Zutritt (the access), der Beginn (the beginning). An Eingang is like a way (Gang) leading in. Many nouns ending in "-gang" are masculine (der Ausgang - exit, der Übergang - crossing/transition, der Rundgang - tour).

For the meaning "Eingang": Imagine you go (gehst - related to Gang) inwards (ein-) through a door. That's the Ein-gang (entrance). For the figurative meaning: An email goes in (geht ein) to your inbox = der Posteingang.

🔁 Synonyms, Antonyms, and Related Terms

⚠️ Similar Words (Beware of Confusion!)

• Einfahrt (die): Only for vehicles.
• Zugang (der): Broader meaning, also includes the possibility or permission of access.
• Eingabe (die): The act of inputting data into a system.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Mathematiker Angst vor dem Eingang?

(Why is the mathematician afraid of the entrance?)

Weil er nie weiß, ob er durch n Eingänge gehen muss!

(Because he never knows if he has to go through 'n' entrances! - A pun on 'n' as a variable and the plural 'Eingängen')

📜 Poem about the Entrance

Der Eingang

Ein Haus braucht Mauern, fest und schlicht,
doch ohne ihn, da geht es nicht.
Mal groß, mal klein, aus Holz, aus Glas,
hier tritt man ein, hier gibt man Gas.

Der Eingang lädt dich freundlich ein,
tritt näher, Gast, so soll es sein!
Doch auch die Mail, die schnell hier landet,
ist im System als 'Eingang' strandet.

The Entrance

A house needs walls, sturdy and plain,
but without it, it's all in vain.
Sometimes large, sometimes small, of wood, of glass,
here one steps in, here one steps on the gas.

The entrance invites you kindly,
come closer, guest, just as it should be!
But also the mail, arriving fast,
is stranded in the system as 'Eingang' at last.

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich habe keinen Mund, doch lade dich ein.
Ich habe keinen Fuß, doch führe dich hinein.
Manchmal bin ich digital, manchmal aus Stein.
Ohne mich kommst du nicht rein.

Was bin ich?

I have no mouth, yet I invite you.
I have no foot, yet I lead you inside.
Sometimes I'm digital, sometimes made of stone.
Without me, you cannot get in.

What am I?
(... Der Eingang / The entrance)

✨ Other Information

Word Composition:

"Eingang" is a compound noun made of:

• Prefix/Particle: ein- (inwards, into something)
• Base word: der Gang (movement, walk, passage, way)

So, the meaning literally translates to "the way in".

Related Words:

• Eingangshalle (die): Entrance hall, lobby
• Eingangstür (die): Entrance door
• Eingangsbestätigung (die): Confirmation of receipt (e.g., of an application)
• Eingangsbereich (der): Entrance area