Translation guide
The English phrase "let in" can mean allowing someone or something to enter, admitting light/air, or figuratively including someone. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for these situations.
To permit someone to come into a place, such as a room, building, or event.
The most common and versatile verb for letting someone in. Can be used for homes, rooms, buildings, etc.
友達を家に入れた。
I let my friend into the house.
彼を受付で待たせずに、すぐに会議室に入れてください。
Please let him into the meeting room right away without making him wait at reception.
Often used when guiding someone into a room or through an entrance, implying a more formal or deliberate action.
お客様を応接室にお通ししました。
I showed the guest into the reception room.
Emphasizes letting someone inside, often used when there is a barrier or when permission is needed.
警備員が私を中に入れてくれなかった。
The security guard wouldn't let me in.
To permit something non-physical like light, air, or sound to come into a space.
The same verb as for people, but used with objects like light or air. Often used with windows or curtains.
カーテンを開けて光を入れて。
Open the curtains and let in some light.
窓を開けて新鮮な空気を入れましょう。
Let's open the window and let in some fresh air.
Used when allowing air or sound to pass through, often implying ventilation or permeability.
To allow someone to join a group, club, or institution.
Specifically means to admit someone as a member. Used for clubs, societies, etc.
彼をクラブに入会させた。
We let him into the club.
Used for admitting someone to a school or university.
その大学は彼を入学させなかった。
The university didn't let him in.
A broader term meaning to accept or admit someone into a group or community.
To allow water or liquid to enter, often unintentionally, like a leak.
Intransitive verb meaning to leak. Used when water comes in through a crack or hole.
屋根から雨が漏れている。
The roof is letting in rain.
Means to be flooded or to have water seep in, often used for buildings or ships.
地下室が浸水した。
The basement let in water.
To share confidential information with someone.
Means to confide a secret to someone. The person is marked with に.
彼に秘密を打ち明けた。
I let him in on the secret.
Literally 'add to the plan', meaning to include someone in a plan or scheme.
彼を計画に加えた。
We let him in on the plan.
English 'let' often implies permission or causation. In Japanese, the causative form (〜させる) can sound forceful or like 'make someone do'. For 'let in', simple verbs like 入れる are more natural than causative constructions.
These curtains don't let in any light.
新しいメンバーを受け入れた。
We let in new members.