fickan

Fickan is the definite singular form of the Swedish noun ficka, meaning a pocket or pouch. It refers to a small recessed compartment on clothing or other containers, such as bags, jackets, pants, or coats, as well as pockets in furniture or organizers. The plural form is fickor, and the definite plural is fickorna. The word is used for both practical pockets and, in some contexts, metaphorically to indicate something readily available or accessible.

In everyday language, you will encounter phrases like i fickan meaning “in the pocket.” Examples: Jag lade nycklarna i fickan (I put the keys in the pocket); Den fickan är tom (That pocket is empty); Håll pennan i fickan (Keep the pen in the pocket). Clothing-specific pockets are described by location, such as bröstficka (breast pocket) or sidficka (side pocket). Pockets on bags or suitcases are also referred to as fickor.

Etymology and variation: ficka is a native Swedish noun, and fickan is formed by adding the definite suffix -an. The term is the standard everyday word for pockets in contemporary Swedish, with regional or specialized terms appearing in fashion or hardware contexts.

See also: related pocket terms in other Scandinavian languages; terminology for garments and accessories where pockets are a key feature.