fichar
/fiˈt͡ʃaɾ/
In Spanish, clocking in is said as fichar.
The term is used for the action of recording the time you arrive at work to start your paid shift. While you can use fichar on its own, it is very common to use the phrase fichar la entrada to specify that you are clocking in at the start of a shift. If you want to refer to the act of clocking in itself as a noun, use el fichaje.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the continuous action of clocking in, use the gerund form fichando. If you need to say that someone completed the action at a specific time in the past, use the third-person singular preterite form fichó (e.g., he/she clocked in).
How do you pronounce it?
/fiˈtʃaɾ/
Did you know?
- In a police context, fichar is used to describe the process of booking a suspect or taking their fingerprints and photo.
- The term el fichaje can be used as a noun to describe the act of clocking in, but it is also the word used in sports media to describe a high-profile player signing with a new team.
- In a sports context, fichar is used to describe a team signing a new player to a contract.
Examples in context
- Hoy debo registrar la entrada a las 8 a.m. en la oficina.Today I have to clock in at 8 a.m. at the office.
- Recuerden marcar la hora de entrada en el sistema antes de comenzar su jornada laboral.Remember to clock in on the system before starting your workday.
- No olvides fichar al llegar a la oficina.Don't forget to clock in when you arrive at the office.
- Tengo que fichar antes de empezar mi turno.I have to clock in before starting my shift.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are at the entrance of their workplace.
- AlejandroSofía, ¿ya fichaste hoy?Sofía, did you clock in today?
- SofíaNo, lo olvidé al entrar.No, I forgot to do it when I entered.
- AlejandroCorre a fichar ahora mismo.Run and clock in right now.
- SofíaTienes razón, gracias Alejandro.You're right, thanks Alejandro.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry fichar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
