das  Kästchen

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈkɛstçən/

📦 What exactly is a 'Kästchen'?

The word das Kästchen is a German noun. It's the diminutive form of der Kasten (the box). Therefore, it means 'small box' or 'little box'.

Because it's a diminutive form ending in -chen, the article is always das (the - neuter). There are no exceptions regarding the article here. 💡

• Meaning 1: A small container, often used for storing jewelry, small parts, or other items.
• Meaning 2: A small box for ticking on a form or in software (checkbox).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of 'das Kästchen' in Detail

As a noun ending in -chen, 'Kästchen' is always neuter. Here is the declension:

🚨 Important: The plural form of nouns ending in -chen is identical to the singular form!

Example Sentences

1. Ich bewahre meine Ringe in einem kleinen Kästchen auf.
   (I keep my rings in a small box.)
2. Bitte machen Sie ein Kreuz im entsprechenden Kästchen.
   (Please put a cross in the corresponding box.)
3. Die Kinder bastelten bunte Kästchen für ihre Stifte.
   (The children crafted colorful small boxes for their pens.)
4. Der Inhalt des Kästchens war geheimnisvoll.
   (The content of the small box was mysterious.)

✍️ How to Use 'Kästchen'?

The word Kästchen is frequently used in everyday life:

• Storage: For small items like jewelry (Schmuckkästchen), sewing kits (Nähkästchen), screws, paper clips, etc.
• Forms/Computers: As a field to be checked ('Ankreuzkästchen', 'Checkbox'). You put a tick or a cross in it.
• Packaging: Sometimes used for small product packaging (e.g., 'Pralinenkästchen' - box of chocolates).

Compared to der Kasten or die Kiste (box, crate), 'das Kästchen' always refers to something smaller and often finer or cuter. While 'Kasten' can also be large (e.g., 'Bierkasten' - beer crate), 'Kästchen' is always small.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'das Kästchen'

For the Article: Remember the '-chen' rule! Almost all German nouns ending in -chen are neuter. Think of 'Mädchen' (girl), 'Hündchen' (puppy), 'Kätzchen' (kitten) – and 'Kästchen'. They all take das! It sounds a bit like 'kitchen', which might have small boxes or containers?

For the Meaning: 'Kästchen' sounds like 'cast-chin'. Imagine a tiny cast for your chin, kept in a small box. The -chen ending makes everything small and cute in German, so it turns a Kasten (box) into a Kästchen (small box).

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Be careful: Not every small container is a 'Kästchen'. A 'Dose' is usually made of metal, a 'Tiegel' is often for cosmetics.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum hat das Kästchen Angst vor dem Umzug?
Weil es befürchtet, in einer großen Kiste zu verschwinden! 😄

(Why is the small box afraid of moving house?
Because it's worried it will disappear inside a big box!)

📜 A Little Poem

Ein Kästchen, klein und fein,
bewahrt den liebsten Schein.
Ob Schmuck, ob Knopf, ob Brief,
es hält den Schatz ganz tief.

Ein Kreuzchen hier, ein Haken dort,
im Formular am rechten Ort.
Das Kästchen zeigt, was man gewählt,
hat still und klar erzählt.

(A small box, little and fine,
keeps safe the dearest shine.
Whether jewel, button, or letter brief,
it holds the treasure deep beneath.)

(A little cross here, a check mark there,
on the form in the proper square.
The little box shows what one chose,
has silently and clearly disclosed.)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich bin klein, doch halte viel,
bin oft aus Holz, das ist mein Stil.
Mal kreuzt man mich auf Papier an,
mal birgt ich Schätze, dann und wann.

Was bin ich?

(I am small, yet hold a lot,
Often made of wood, that's my spot.
Sometimes you check me on paper bright,
Sometimes I hold treasures, day and night.

What am I?)

Solution: Das Kästchen (the small box)

💡 More Fun Facts

• Word Formation: The word is formed by adding the diminutive suffix -chen to the stem of 'Kasten'. Often, the vowel undergoes an umlaut change (a -> ä).
• Article Rule: As mentioned, the ending -chen (just like -lein) forces the neuter article 'das'. This is a very reliable rule in German.
• Computer Context: In the digital sphere, 'Kästchen' is often the German translation for 'checkbox' or small squares in tables or grids.