boîte
/bwat/feminine
The English word "box" can be translated into French as boîte or caisse.
Meaning: cuboid space, container (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| boîte | /bwat/ /bwɛːt/ |
feminine |
| caisse | /kɛs/ /kɛːs/ |
feminine |
A box refers to a cuboid space or a container. Additionally, caisse is the term used to refer to a cash register or a checkout counter in a shop.
Which one should you use?
Use boîte for a general-purpose box or container, such as a cardboard box or a small jewelry box. Use caisse specifically for larger, sturdier containers like wooden crates or shipping boxes.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In France, Coffret is sometimes used to describe a fancy or high-end box.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/bwat/
Did you know?
- While boîte is a general container, the word boîte is also frequently used as slang to mean a 'club' or a 'nightclub'.
- While caisse means a box, in modern French slang it is often used to refer to a car. Calling a car une caisse is similar to calling it a 'ride' in English.
- The word caisse shares a common Latin ancestor with the French word châsse, which refers to a shrine or reliquary used to hold holy relics.
Examples in context
- Je veux une boîte.I want a box.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire for a boîte.Tatoeba #11989898 by Rovo, translation #11887075 by CK
- Il écrasa la boîte.He crushed the box.This sentence is useful for describing an action performed on a boîte.Tatoeba #131085 by Aiji, translation #291225 by CK
- Tom ouvre la boîte.Tom is opening the box.This sentence is useful for describing the action of opening a boîte.Tatoeba #6772007 by felix63, translation #10567692 by CK
- J'ai apporté une boîte de documentsI brought a box of documents
- Le professeur a commandé de nouveaux cartons pour les livresThe teacher ordered new boxes for the books
- Je vais acheter une caisse de fruitsI'm going to buy a box of fruit
- Passe-moi la boîte de chocolatsPass me the box of chocolates
- Elle a reçu un coffret-cadeau pour son anniversaireShe received a gift box for her birthday
- 366 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon is looking for her jewelry at home.
- GabrielOù est la boîte à bijoux, Manon ?Where is the jewelry box, Manon?
- ManonElle est sur la table, Gabriel.It is on the table, Gabriel.
- GabrielJe ne la vois pas.I don't see it.
- ManonRegarde juste sous ce livre.Just look under this book.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “box” translations and entries boîte, caisse, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries boîte, caisse, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
