Thread: проходите vs заходите

When do you use each of the above words?

Also,
Someone is standing outside your door and you want them to come in - what do you say?

Originally Posted by zakuski

Someone is standing outside your door and you want them to come in - what so you say?

входите

"войдите" is also a possible variant and "заходите" is OK too

Originally Posted by zakuski

When do you use each of the above words?

A difference is very subtle. Usually you say "проходите" if you want to emphasize the necessity to pass smth, not just to come in. For ex.:
- Проходите в комнату, не стойте в коридоре (Come into the room, pass the hallway).
- Пассажиры, проходите в заднюю часть автобуса (Please, move toward the rear of the bus)

But in everyday language people can equally say "проходите", "заходите", "входите", inviting smb into the house.