der Kasten
box
A usually rectangular container made of wood, plastic, or metal for storing or transporting objects.
EXAMPLE
Die alten Fotos sind in einem Kasten auf dem Dachboden.
The old photos are in a box in the attic.
der Kasten
box / crate
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Meanings
der Kasten
crate
A container with compartments for transporting bottles, especially a beverage crate.
EXAMPLE
Könntest du aus dem Keller bitte einen Kasten Wasser holen?
Could you please get a crate of water from the basement?
der Kasten
TV
Colloquial for a television set.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe den ganzen Abend nur faul vor dem Kasten gesessen.
I spent the whole evening just sitting lazily in front of the TV.
der Kasten
goal
Colloquial for the goal in soccer, handball, or ice hockey.
EXAMPLE
Der Stürmer traf mit einem wuchtigen Schuss genau in den Kasten.
The striker hit the ball with a powerful shot right into the goal.
der Kasten
box / cabinet
A special container for a specific purpose, e.g., a mailbox, fuse box, or toolbox.
EXAMPLE
Der Elektriker hat den Fehler schnell im Kasten gefunden.
The electrician quickly found the fault in the box.
Usage tips
Productive compounds
The base word 'Kasten' (box) is part of many useful words that describe a container for a specific purpose. Examples are 'Briefkasten' (mailbox), 'Werkzeugkasten' (toolbox), 'Sandkasten' (sandbox), or 'Sicherungskasten' (fuse box).
EXAMPLE
Hast du schon in den Briefkasten geschaut?
Have you already checked the mailbox?
Diminutive 'Kästchen'
The diminutive form 'das Kästchen' (little box) is very often used for small containers, for example for jewelry or tea bags.
EXAMPLE
Sie bewahrt ihre Ringe in einem kleinen Schmuckkästchen auf.
She keeps her rings in a small jewelry box.
Context clue for drinks
When 'Kasten' (crate) means a container for bottles, the contents are almost always mentioned. Typical phrases are 'ein Kasten Bier' (a crate of beer), 'ein Kasten Wein' (a crate of wine), or 'ein Kasten Saft' (a crate of juice).
EXAMPLE
Für die Party brauchen wir noch einen Kasten Bier.
We still need a crate of beer for the party.
Register: colloquial
The use of 'Kasten' (TV) for a television set is colloquial. You can often recognize this meaning from verbs like 'gucken' (to watch), 'schauen' (to watch), or 'laufen' (to be on).
EXAMPLE
Was läuft heute Abend im Kasten?
What's on TV tonight?
Register: sports language
In sports, especially soccer, 'Kasten' (goal) is a colloquial expression for the goal. A goalkeeper who does not concede a goal 'hält seinen Kasten sauber' (keeps a clean sheet).
EXAMPLE
Der Stürmer schoss den Ball unhaltbar in den Kasten.
The striker shot the ball unstoppably into the goal.
Compare with
Kasten vs Box
box
Box and Kasten can refer to the same kind of small, rectangular storage container. There is often no clear factual difference between them; what matters is which term is customary for the particular object. That is why both words are possible in many everyday situations.
Kasten
Ich bewahre die Schrauben in einem kleinen Kasten auf.
I keep the screws in a small box.
Box
Ich bewahre die Schrauben in einer kleinen Box auf.
I keep the screws in a small box.
In real life
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