kiste

Kiste is a German noun meaning a box, crate, or case. It is feminine with the definite article die Kiste and the plural form die Kisten. The word is widely used for containers made of wood, metal, plastic, or cardboard and is common in everyday and technical language alike.

In everyday speech, Kiste refers to a variety of containers used for storage, transport, or packaging. Examples range from a small wooden Kiste for keepsakes to a large shipping Kiste. It is also used in phrases such as Kiste Bier or Kiste Wasser to denote a crate or case of beverages.

Etymology and related terms: Kiste derives from Old High German kista and Proto-Germanic origins, with cognates in other Germanic languages such as Dutch kist. It is related to, but distinct from, terms like Kasten, which can refer to a cabinet or larger box type.

Usage notes: Kiste is the general term for a container and is preferred in many contexts over more specific words. When the material or use is specified, compounds such as Holzkiste (wooden box), Metallkiste (metal box), or Kartonkiste (cardboard box) are commonly used.

Other uses: Beyond its primary meaning, Kiste may appear in regional speech or as part of proper names, such as surnames or place names in German-speaking areas. In popular culture and colloquial speech, it can also function as a generic reference to a container in various contexts.