die Blechbüchse
tin can
A small container made of thin sheet metal, usually used to store or sell food and other goods.
EXAMPLE
Die Blechbüchse mit den Keksen steht im Küchenschrank.
The tin can with the cookies is in the kitchen cupboard.
die Blechbüchse
tin can
die Blechbüchse, die Blechbüchsen
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Meanings
die Blechbüchse
old banger / tin can
Colloquially and humorously or disparagingly, an old, rickety, or uncomfortable vehicle, especially a car.
EXAMPLE
Mit dieser alten Blechbüchse möchte ich nicht mehr bis nach Berlin fahren.
I don't want to drive all the way to Berlin in this old banger anymore.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Blechbüchse, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Blechbüchsen |
| genitive | der Blechbüchse |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Blechbüchse | die Blechbüchsen |
| accusative | die Blechbüchse | die Blechbüchsen |
| dative | der Blechbüchse | den Blechbüchsen |
| genitive | der Blechbüchse | der Blechbüchsen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word formation
'Blechbüchse' is made up of 'Blech' (sheet metal) and 'Büchse' (tin/can). The word originally referred to a tin can; the meaning relating to vehicles developed figuratively from this.
EXAMPLE
Die kleine Blechbüchse passt gut in den Rucksack.
The small tin can fits nicely in the backpack.
Typical collocations
In the container meaning, 'Blechbüchse' is often used with a description of its contents, for example 'eine Blechbüchse mit Keksen' (a tin can with cookies), 'eine Blechbüchse mit Tee' (a tin can with tea), or 'eine Blechbüchse mit Bohnen' (a tin can with beans).
EXAMPLE
Auf dem Regal steht eine Blechbüchse mit selbst gebackenen Keksen.
There is a tin can with homemade cookies on the shelf.
Context clue
The vehicle meaning is often recognizable from words related to road traffic, such as 'fahren' (to drive), 'Motor' (engine), 'Werkstatt' (garage), or 'TÜV' (vehicle inspection). In this context, 'Blechbüchse' is a figurative, often humorous or disparaging term.
EXAMPLE
Meine alte Blechbüchse hat schon wieder Probleme mit dem Motor.
My old banger is having engine problems again.
In real life
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