Kästchen

Kästchen is the diminutive form of the German noun Kasten, meaning a small box or container. The word is used to describe a compact or decorative box, such as a jewelry box or a keepsake box, as well as objects that have the form of a small box.

In everyday language, Kästchen also denotes a small square or cell in a grid, calendar, crossword, or board game. For example, the days of a month are often referred to as Kästchen on a calendar, and the squares in word puzzles are described as Kästchen. In digital interfaces, Kästchen is commonly used to indicate a checkbox in forms; the formal term is Kontrollkästchen, but Kästchen is widely understood in speech to mean a small selectable box that can be checked or unchecked. The expression ein Kästchen abhaken means to check off one item.

In other contexts, Kästchen can describe small compartments or sections in furniture, organizers, or electronic devices, where items can be placed or stored.

Etymology and usage notes: Kästchen is formed by adding the diminutive suffix -chen to Kasten; the term is productive in German and is common in colloquial speech. While Kontrollkästchen is the precise technical term for a checkbox, Kästchen is routinely used in everyday language to refer to such boxes or squares.

See also: Kasten, Kiste, Kontrollkästchen, Checkbox.