box
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box
A usually cuboid container made of cardboard or thin card, used for storing or transporting objects.
Die alten Fotos bewahre ich in einer großen Schachtel auf dem Dachboden auf.
I keep the old photos in a large box in the attic.
In colloquial speech, 'Schachtel' (box/pack) is often used as a short form for 'eine Schachtel Zigaretten' (a pack of cigarettes). The meaning is usually clear from the context of the conversation.
Er raucht eine ganze Schachtel pro Tag.
He smokes a whole pack a day.
'Schachtel' (box) is often combined with the contents stored inside it. Typical examples are 'eine Schachtel Pralinen' (a box of chocolates), 'eine Schachtel Streichhölzer' (a box of matches), or 'eine Schachtel Taschentücher' (a box of tissues).
Zum Geburtstag bekam sie eine große Schachtel Pralinen.
For her birthday, she received a large box of chocolates.
Pay attention to the case after the preposition: 'in die Schachtel' (into the box, accusative) describes movement, while 'in der Schachtel' (in the box, dative) describes a location.
Ich lege die Briefe in die Schachtel.
I put the letters into the box.
box
'die Box' and 'die Schachtel' can both be small box-shaped containers. 'Schachtel' is usually made of cardboard or thin card and is often used as packaging, for example for shoes, tea, or medicine. 'Box' is more general and can be made of different materials; it often sounds like a reusable container for organizing things. Learners may confuse the words because both look similar. For packaging made of cardboard, 'Schachtel' is more precise; for sturdy storage, 'Box' is more natural.
In der Pause gibt ihr Mehmet die Schachtel mit den neuen Stiften.
During the break, Mehmet gives her the box with the new pens.
Für die Reise packst du die Medikamente in eine kleine Box.
For the trip, you pack the medicine in a small box.