When you hear the word "ポケット" (poketto), think of the pocket on your clothes! It's a direct loanword from English, so it sounds very similar to "pocket."
You'll often find "ポケット" used when talking about where you put things like your keys, phone, or wallet. It's a handy word to know for everyday conversations.
So, if you're looking for your phone and someone asks where it is, you might say "ポケットの中" (poketto no naka), meaning "inside my pocket."
§ Understanding ポケット
The word ポケット is a very common loanword in Japanese, coming directly from the English word "pocket." This means it's pretty straightforward to understand. It refers to a small bag sewn into clothing where you can carry things like your phone, wallet, or keys. Because it's a loanword, it's written in Katakana.
- Word
- ポケット (poketto)
- Definition
- A pocket, a small bag sewn into clothing.
§ Basic Usage with を and に
When you use ポケット in a sentence, you'll often encounter the particles を (o) and に (ni). Let's break down how they work.
を (o): This particle often marks the direct object of a verb. If you are taking something out of your pocket, or putting something into your pocket as the object being acted upon, you'll use を.
彼はポケットから財布を出しました。
Kare wa poketto kara saifu o dashimashita.
He took his wallet out of his pocket. (Literally: He pocket-from wallet-object took-out)に (ni): This particle indicates a location or destination. When you're putting something into your pocket, and the pocket is the destination, you'll use に.
鍵をポケットに入れました。
Kagi o poketto ni iremashita.
I put the keys in my pocket. (Literally: Keys-object pocket-to put-in)
§ Describing Pockets with の
You can also use the particle の (no) to describe something that belongs to a pocket, or to specify which pocket you're talking about. Think of の as indicating possession or association.
ズボンにはポケットがありません。
Zubon ni wa poketto ga arimasen.
There are no pockets in these pants. (Literally: Pants-in pocket-subject not-exist)
このジャケットのポケットは深いです。
Kono jaketto no poketto wa fukai desu.
The pockets of this jacket are deep. (Literally: This jacket's pocket-subject deep is)
§ Common Phrases and Variations
Here are a few more ways you might encounter ポケット in everyday Japanese:
ポケットティッシュ (poketto tisshu): This literally means "pocket tissue" and refers to the small packs of tissues often given out for free in Japan for advertising, or bought for personal use. It's a very common item.
お店でポケットティッシュをもらいました。
Omise de poketto tisshu o moraimashita.
I received pocket tissues at the store. (Literally: Store-at pocket tissues-object received)ポケットに入れる (poketto ni ireru): To put into a pocket. This is a direct and very useful phrase.
スマホをポケットに入れました。
Sumaho o poketto ni iremashita.
I put my smartphone in my pocket. (Literally: Smartphone-object pocket-into put-in)ポケットから出す (poketto kara dasu): To take out of a pocket. The particle から (kara) means "from."
彼はポケットから小銭を出しました。
Kare wa poketto kara kozeni o dashimashita.
He took coins out of his pocket. (Literally: He pocket-from coins-object took-out)
小贴士
Katakana for 'Pocket'
Notice how ポケット is written in katakana. This is because it's a loanword from English.
Pronunciation of ポケット
Say it like 'po-ke-tto'. The double 't' (ット) indicates a small pause, almost like a glottal stop, before the final 'o'.
Common Usage: 'In my pocket'
To say 'in my pocket', you'll often hear ポケットに (poketto ni). For example, 携帯はポケットにある (Keitai wa poketto ni aru). This means, 'My phone is in my pocket'.
Using with '入れる' (to put in)
You can use it with the verb 入れる (ireru) which means 'to put in'. For instance, 鍵をポケットに入れる (Kagi o poketto ni ireru). This translates to 'I put the key in my pocket'.
No plural form
Japanese nouns typically don't have distinct plural forms. So, ポケット can mean both 'pocket' and 'pockets'.
Don't confuse with ポッケ (pokke)
While ポッケ (pokke) is a more casual or childish way to say 'pocket', it's best to stick with ポケット in most situations to sound more natural.
Context is key
Like many Japanese words, the exact meaning of ポケット can sometimes be inferred from context. However, for this word, the meaning is usually straightforward.
Visual association
Try to associate the sound 'poketto' with the image of a pocket in your mind. This can help with memorization.
Practice with common objects
Think of things you often put in your pocket. For example, 財布 (saifu - wallet), 小銭 (kozeni - change), or ハンカチ (hankachi - handkerchief).
Listening practice
Listen for ポケット in Japanese conversations, movies, or songs. Hearing it in different contexts will solidify your understanding.
自我测试 18 个问题
This sentence means 'I took the key out of my pocket.' The structure is 'from pocket key took out.'
This sentence means 'He put his wallet in his back pocket.' The structure is 'He wallet back pocket in put.'
This sentence means 'There's a small hole in my pocket.' The structure is 'My pocket in small hole is open.'
This sentence means 'I took the keys out of my pocket.' The structure follows the common Japanese pattern of 'location from' + 'object' + 'verb'.
This sentence translates to 'My wallet is in my pocket.' The particle 'に' indicates location.
This means 'I put my cell phone in my pants pocket.' The order clarifies ownership of the pocket before stating the action.
The speaker is asking about the contents of a pocket.
Someone dropped a letter from a pocket.
The speaker is praising a jacket for its many inner pockets.
Read this aloud:
すみません、財布がポケットに入っていたか確認していただけませんか？
Focus: すみません (sumimasen), 確認 (kakunin)
你说的：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
ズボンのポケットに携帯電話を入れない方がいいですよ、落としやすいから。
Focus: ズボン (zubon), 携帯電話 (keitai denwa), 落としやすい (otoshisuyai)
你说的：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
子供の頃、ポケットに石や虫を入れて持ち帰るのが好きだった。
Focus: 子供の頃 (kodomo no koro), 石 (ishi), 虫 (mushi), 持ち帰る (mochikaeru)
你说的：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
/ 18 correct
Perfect score!
Katakana for 'Pocket'
Notice how ポケット is written in katakana. This is because it's a loanword from English.
Pronunciation of ポケット
Say it like 'po-ke-tto'. The double 't' (ット) indicates a small pause, almost like a glottal stop, before the final 'o'.
Common Usage: 'In my pocket'
To say 'in my pocket', you'll often hear ポケットに (poketto ni). For example, 携帯はポケットにある (Keitai wa poketto ni aru). This means, 'My phone is in my pocket'.
Using with '入れる' (to put in)
You can use it with the verb 入れる (ireru) which means 'to put in'. For instance, 鍵をポケットに入れる (Kagi o poketto ni ireru). This translates to 'I put the key in my pocket'.
例句
鍵をポケットに入れた。
相关内容
更多clothing词汇
おしゃれ
A2Stylish, fashionable, well-dressed (na-adjective).
〜円
A2Yen, the currency of Japan.
着物
A2Traditional Japanese garment, often worn for special occasions.
素材
B1Material or fabric, the basic substance of clothing.
生地
A2Fabric or cloth, woven material for clothing.
汚れ
A2Dirt or a stain on clothing.
しわ
A2A wrinkle or crease in fabric.
緩む
B1To loosen (intransitive, e.g., a belt).
ネクタイ
A2A necktie, worn around the collar of a shirt.
制服
A2A uniform, standardized clothing worn by members of an organization.
