shaft
Loading your saved state.
shaft
A vertical or steeply inclined hollow space that has been dug into the earth or into a mine to provide access to deeper levels. It is often used for transporting people, materials, or for ventilation.
Die Bergleute fuhren mit dem Aufzug in den Schacht ein.
The miners went down into the shaft in the elevator.
shaft
A vertical hollow space in a building intended for technical installations such as elevators, ventilation pipes, or cables.
Der Aufzug blieb im Schacht stecken.
The elevator got stuck in the shaft.
old clunker
Colloquial and often derogatory term for a large, bulky, and usually outdated device, especially an old tube television or monitor.
Wirf doch endlich diesen alten Schacht von Fernseher weg!
Just finally throw away that old clunker of a TV!
The main meanings differ according to context. In mining, it is the access point to the mine (with words like 'Bergwerk' (mine), 'Kohle' (coal)). In a house, it is a hollow space for technical systems (with words like 'Aufzug' (elevator), 'Lüftung' (ventilation)).
Der neue Lüftungsschacht verbessert die Luftqualität im Gebäude.
The new ventilation shaft improves the air quality in the building.
In a mining context, the phrase 'in den Schacht einfahren' (to go down into the shaft) is often used when miners begin their work underground.
Jeden Morgen fuhren die Kumpel mit dem Förderkorb in den Schacht ein.
Every morning, the miners went down into the shaft in the mining cage.
In the context of buildings, 'Schacht' (shaft) is often the second part of compound words that describe its function more precisely. Examples are 'der Aufzugsschacht' (elevator shaft), 'der Lüftungsschacht' (ventilation shaft), or 'der Kabelschacht' (cable shaft).
Die Kabel werden durch einen speziellen Schacht im Boden geführt.
The cables are routed through a special shaft in the floor.
The term 'Schacht' (old clunker) for an old device is purely colloquial and is often used in a slightly derogatory way. You would not write this in a formal text.
Wann kaufst du dir endlich einen neuen Monitor für diesen alten Schacht?
When are you finally going to buy yourself a new monitor to replace that old clunker?
box / crate
In colloquial speech, both words can refer to a large, bulky television set. „Kasten“ is a more general term, while „Schacht“ sounds more derogatory and particularly highlights an old-fashioned, outdated device. Choose „Kasten“ for a more neutral tone and „Schacht“ when you intend the disparaging nuance.
Diesen klobigen Schacht wollten wir endlich durch einen modernen Fernseher ersetzen.
We finally wanted to replace that bulky old clunker with a modern television.
Der alte Kasten im Wohnzimmer funktioniert noch erstaunlich gut.
The old TV set in the living room still works surprisingly well.
