noun
box
B1
Schachtel: noun meaning 'box' or 'case' (often for small containers). Gender: die Schachtel. Plural: Schachteln (regular -n). Used with contents as in 'eine Schachtel Zigaretten'. Regular declension; no irregular plural. Article 'die' used; singular declension follows the standard feminine pattern.
Examples
In der Schachtel sind alte Fotos.
There are old photos in the box.
Als man die Schachtel öffnete, bemerkte die Kundin, dass ein Teil fehlte.
When they opened the box, the customer noticed that a part was missing.
Die Schachtel ist voll mit Pralinen.
The box is full of chocolates.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture a small cardboard box with a ribbon; the -el ending makes it small (like 'little box').
Think 'shackle' — imagine a box locked like a shackle.
Die Schachtel — imagine the ribbon as a feminine bow (die).
Notes
Commonly used for small boxes (cardboard, gift boxes). 'Schachtel' is a countable everyday object; often appears in shopping and packaging contexts.