Entrar a vs. Entrar en

Question

When do you use 'entrar a' and when do you use 'entrar en'? The most I can gather is that 'a' is used with verbs in action or movement such as visitar, ir and salir. I think it's the same concept but I want to be sure.

For example, what if I wanted to say, "They will be able to go into the building", what would I use?

Thanks in advance.

Please give us some more information on your profile. It helps us to know you better and how to help. English speaker? What country? Spanish level of proficiency? - Jubilado, Nov 3, 2014

English speaker. From Jamaica. High school level - Kabrina_Martin, Nov 3, 2014

Answer 1

to me:

get in = entrar en

get into = entrar al (a el)

So would be 'Podrán entrar en el edificio' or 'Podrán entrar al edificio' ? - Kabrina_Martin, Nov 2, 2014

Both are correct. - chileno, Nov 3, 2014

What;s your native language? - chileno, Nov 3, 2014

My native language is English, I'm from Jamaica. I'm currently doing Spanish in high school - Kabrina_Martin, Nov 3, 2014

Ok. - chileno, Nov 3, 2014

So If i said "La gente siempre se siente la necesidad de entrar en algo que no tiene nada que ver con ellos" that is ok too - Sc89, Nov 4, 2014

Answer 2

I am not a native speaker.

After reviewing the dictionary entries my take is this

Your question above is Entrar en, but entrar en has many other usages.

Entrar a seem to me to be more closing related to empezar or comenzar. To start doing something.

Also there is entrar de. To start off as something.

Te agradezco por su repuesta - Kabrina_Martin, Nov 2, 2014

Answer 3

So If i said "La gente siempre se siente la necesidad de entrar en algo que no tiene nada que ver con ellos" that is ok too

A la gente le gusta entrar en cosas con que no tiene nada a ver. - annierats, Nov 7, 2014

ThatLs a suggestion.i'm not native. - annierats, Nov 7, 2014