Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| bolsillo | /bolˈsiʝo/ | masculine |
| bolsa | /ˈbolsa/ | Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Philippines, feminine |
| faltriquera | /faltɾiˈkeɾa/ | feminine |
| faldriquera | /faldɾiˈkeɾa/ | feminine, alternative form |
| bolchaca | /bolt͡ʃaka/ (from spelling rules) | colloquial, feminine |
| bolsico | /bolsiko/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
The standard term for a pocket, such as those found on shirts, pants or bags, is bolsillo. You can also use the phrase de bolsillo as an adjective to describe something that is pocket-sized, such as un diccionario de bolsillo (a pocket dictionary). If you want to use a verb meaning to put something into a pocket, use embolsar.
Which one should you use?
While bolsillo is the standard term used across the Spanish-speaking world, bolsa is used to mean a pocket on clothing in the Philippines and in several Central American countries including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Nicaragua. In most other Spanish-speaking regions, however, bolsa refers to a bag or a sack.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Bolchaca is a colloquial feminine form of pocket.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and the Philippines, bolsa is used for a clothing pocket.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
bolsillo is a masculine noun. bolsa, faltriquera, faldriquera and bolchaca are feminine nouns. bolsico is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/bolˈsiʝo/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using bolsa to mean a clothing pocket in most Spanish-speaking countries, as this will be understood as a shopping bag or a sack.
Did you know?
- The word bolsillo is actually a diminutive of bolso, which means 'handbag' or 'purse'.
- Spanish uses the verb embolsar for putting something in a pocket, which is the same verb used for bagging groceries in a supermarket.
- The terms faltriquera and faldriquera are nearly identical, but both historically describe pouches tied around the waist rather than stitched into fabric.
Examples in context
- Está en mi bolsillo.It's in my pocket.This sentence is useful for saying something is in your pocket using bolsillo.Tatoeba #4732634 by Shishir, translation #2648484 by CK
- La tengo en el bolsillo.I have her in my pocket.Tatoeba #1253629 by marcelostockle, translation #25496 by auxitt
- Él se sacó algo del bolsillo.He took something out of his pocket.This sentence is useful for saying someone took something out of a pocket using bolsillo.Tatoeba #1651120 by Shishir, translation #292721 by CK
- Tengo las llaves en el bolsillo.I have the keys in my pocket.
- ¿Podrías guardar esto en tu bolsillo?Could you put this in your pocket?
- Tengo el dinero en el bolsillo del pantalón.I have the money in my pants pocket.
- 83 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are looking for his keys.
- JavierNo encuentro mis llaves.I can't find my keys.
- Sofía¿Están en el bolsillo de tu chaqueta?Are they in your jacket pocket?
- JavierNo, ya revisé este bolsillo.No, I already checked this pocket.
- SofíaBusca en el bolsillo del pantalón.Look in your pants pocket.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pocket” translations and entries bolsillo, bolsa, faltriquera, faldriquera, bolsico, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bolsa, bolsillo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
