The term “Zettelkasten” in German translates to “slip box” or “note box.” It refers to a system of interconnected notes derived from diverse learning sources. The Zettelkasten method is a bottom-up technique for transforming content you absorb into content you generate.

The plural of Zettelkasten is Zettelkästen. This concept gained prominence through German sociologist Niklas Luhmann, who attributed much of his productivity in publishing numerous academic books and articles to his personal Zettelkasten.

A Zettel signifies a solitary note within a Zettelkasten, encapsulating a condensed and self-contained idea.

This unique approach to organization and knowledge creation has been gaining traction in recent years, as it offers an efficient and effective way to manage and synthesize information.