1A container with sides and a lid; a box, case, or chest used to hold things.
プレゼントをきれいな箱に入れて渡した。
I put the present in a nice box and gave it to them.
古い写真は段ボールの箱に保管している。
I keep old photos in cardboard boxes.
この箱は丈夫なので引越しに使える。
This box is sturdy, so it can be used for moving.
箱を開けると中から手紙が出てきた。
When I opened the box, a letter came out from inside.
2Sometimes used to refer to a car or box-like compartment of a train or vehicle.
貨物列車の箱が連なっている光景が見えた。
I saw a sight of freight cars (boxcars) linked together.
昔の客車は木製の箱のようだった。
Old passenger cars looked like wooden boxes.
3A shamisen case, or sometimes the shamisen instrument itself in certain contexts.
三味線を箱にしまってから出かけた。
I put the shamisen in its case before going out.
師匠の箱は傷だらけで年季が入っている。
The master's shamisen case is scratched and well worn.
4Colloquially called 'ハコ', it can refer to public or community buildings and large facilities (as in 'hakomono').
市は新しいハコを建てる計画を発表した。
The city announced plans to build a new public facility.
箱物行政（はこものぎょうせい）について議論が続いている。
Debate continues about 'hakomono' (public works projects focused on buildings).
5An archaic term for a person who carried a geisha's shamisen; obsolete in modern usage.
昔は箱と呼ばれる仕事の人がいて、三味線を運んだ。
In the past there were people called 'hako' who carried shamisen.
6An archaic meaning referring to human waste or feces; not used in modern Japanese.
古い文献には『箱』が排泄物を意味する場合があると記されている。
Old texts note that 'hako' could sometimes mean excrement.
7Used as a counter/suffix for boxed items (e.g., 'one box of ...').
ビールを一箱注文した。
I ordered a case (box) of beer.
りんごを二箱配送した。
I delivered two boxes of apples.