What is the difference between a Schachtel and a Karton?
When I was studying German today two words came up in sentences as the word box: Schachtel and Karton. What is the difference between the two?

I'm thinking maybe it is the size of the box as the sentences were: Die Blumen sind in der Schachtel. Die Süßigkeiten sind in der Schachtel. Das Mädchen ist auf dem Karton. and finally, Der Junge ist im Karton.
I think maybe it is to do with size, as logically, flowers and sweets would be in smaller boxes than a girl could sit on or a boy hide in.

Is size the difference?

Question

What is the difference between a Schachtel and a Karton?
When I was studying German today two words came up in sentences as the word box: Schachtel and Karton. What is the difference between the two?

I'm thinking maybe it is the size of the box as the sentences were: Die Blumen sind in der Schachtel. Die Süßigkeiten sind in der Schachtel. Das Mädchen ist auf dem Karton. and finally, Der Junge ist im Karton.
I think maybe it is to do with size, as logically, flowers and sweets would be in smaller boxes than a girl could sit on or a boy hide in.

Is size the difference?

Answer

Clair is right

Karton refers mainly to the material.

A Karton is a Pappschachtel. A Schachtel has always a cover. Schachtel has more relatives in German like Schachtelgesellschaft or Schuhschachtel. A Schachtel is a Schachtel only to a certain (not exactly defined) size.

Answer

As far as I know, "Karton" = "cardboard" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardboard_(paper_product)) and also a box made of cardboard, while "Schachtel" is a box made of paper, cardboard or wood (http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schachtel). The size is not that important.

Verpassen Sie nicht die Gelegenheit, bequem von zu Hause aus eine Sprache zu lernen. Stöbern Sie in unserer Auswahl an erfahrenen Sprachlehrern und melden Sie sich jetzt zu Ihrer ersten Unterrichtsstunde an!