die Büchse
can
A cylindrical metal container in which food is preserved; a tin can.
EXAMPLE
Für den Salat brauchen wir noch eine Büchse Mais.
For the salad, we still need a can of corn.
die Büchse
can / rifle
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
die Büchse
rifle
A gun with a rifled barrel, used for precise shots over long distances.
EXAMPLE
Der Jäger zielte mit seiner Büchse auf den Hirsch.
The hunter aimed his rifle at the stag.
die Büchse
collection box
A smaller container, often with a slot, used for collecting money, e.g. a piggy bank or collection box.
EXAMPLE
Am Ausgang stand eine Büchse für Spenden an das Tierheim.
At the exit there was a collection box for donations to the animal shelter.
die Büchse der Pandora
Pandora's box
A fixed expression for a source of great and unexpected trouble. It refers to Greek mythology.
EXAMPLE
Die Veröffentlichung der geheimen Dokumente öffnete die Büchse der Pandora.
The publication of the secret documents opened Pandora's box.
Usage tips
Context clue
You can almost always recognize the meaning of 'Büchse' (can, rifle, collection box) from the context. If it is about food, it means a tin can. If it is about hunting or shooting, it means a rifle. If it is about money, it means a piggy bank or collection box.
EXAMPLE
Ich öffne eine Büchse Bohnen für das Chili.
I'm opening a can of beans for the chili.
Regional usage
For a tin can, the word 'die Dose' (the can) is used more often in large parts of Germany and in Austria. 'Die Büchse' (the can) can sound somewhat regional or old-fashioned in this context.
EXAMPLE
Er hat immer ein paar Büchsen mit Suppe im Vorratsschrank.
He always has a few cans of soup in the pantry.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'container for money', 'Büchse' (collection box) is often part of compound words. The most common are 'die Spendenbüchse' (donation box) and 'die Sammelbüchse' (collection box).
EXAMPLE
Für die Klassenfahrt wurde eine Sammelbüchse aufgestellt.
A collection box was set up for the class trip.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'die Büchse der Pandora öffnen' (to open Pandora's box) is a fixed expression from Greek mythology. It is always used in this form and means to trigger an action that leads to unforeseeable and serious trouble.
EXAMPLE
Mit seiner unbedachten Frage öffnete der Journalist die Büchse der Pandora.
With his thoughtless question, the journalist opened Pandora's box.
Compare with
Büchse vs Dose
can / container / socket
For preserved foods, Dose and Büchse refer to the same cylindrical metal container. Dose is the standard term used across regions today; depending on the region, Büchse sounds more traditional or old-fashioned. In neutral Standard German, Dose is therefore usually the better choice.
Büchse
Ihr Großvater verwendet für denselben Behälter das regionale Wort Büchse.
Her grandfather uses the regional word “Büchse” for the same container.
Dose
Im Supermarkt bittet Lea auf Hochdeutsch um eine Dose mit Erbsen.
At the supermarket, Lea asks for a can of peas in Standard German.
In real life
Loading video examples...