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.

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