das
Porto
📮 What does 'das Porto' mean?
The word Porto (neuter gender, article: das) refers to the fee that must be paid for the transport of postal items (letters, parcels, etc.) by a postal service. It's essentially the cost of shipping or postage.
In modern German, this is the primary meaning, and it always uses the article das.
⚠️ Note: The word originates from Italian (porto = I carry/bring), where it can also mean 'harbor' (il porto). However, in German, 'das Porto' almost exclusively refers to the shipping fee.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-o → mostly neutral.
🧐 Grammar of 'das Porto' in Detail
'Porto' is a noun of the neuter gender.
Declension:
The plural ('die Porti' or 'die Portos') is very rare when referring to postage fees. Usually, one speaks in the singular of 'dem Porto' for one item or 'den Portokosten' (plural noun, 'postage costs') for multiple fees.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | das | Porto |
| Genitive (Whose?) | des | Portos |
| Dative (To/For Whom?) | dem | Porto |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | das | Porto |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Porti / Portos |
| Genitive | der | Porti / Portos |
| Dative | den | Porti / Portos |
| Accusative | die | Porti / Portos |
📝 Example Sentences
- Wie hoch ist das Porto für diesen Brief nach Italien?
(How much is the postage for this letter to Italy?) - Bitte vergiss nicht, das Porto zu bezahlen.
(Please don't forget to pay the postage.) - Der Preis ist inklusive Porto und Verpackung.
(The price includes postage and packaging.) - Wegen des erhöhten Portos werden Online-Bestellungen teurer.
(Due to the increased postage, online orders are becoming more expensive.)
✉️ How to use 'das Porto'?
'Das Porto' is used whenever discussing payment for the transport of letters, postcards, or parcels.
- Typical Collocations: das Porto bezahlen/entrichten (to pay the postage), das Porto beträgt X Euro (the postage is X Euros), inklusive/zuzüglich Porto (including/plus postage), ausreichendes Porto (sufficient postage), fehlendes Porto (missing postage, requires additional payment or 'Nachporto').
- Context: Primarily used in relation to the post office (die Post), mail order (Versandhandel), or online shopping.
- Comparison: While 'Porto' is the fee itself, 'Frankierung' refers to the proof of payment (e.g., a stamp or franking mark). 'Versandkosten' (shipping costs) is a more general term, often used synonymously, but can also include packaging etc.
💡 Mnemonics
Remembering the article 'das': Think of sending a parcel (das Paket). It sounds neutral, like a fee. Or imagine saying: "Das Post Office needs das Porto!" (POST O = Porto).
Remembering the meaning: The word comes from Italian 'porto' (I carry). You pay 'das Porto' so the postal service can carry your mail for you. Think of a port where ships are loaded; you pay 'Porto' to get your mail 'loaded' and shipped.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- die Postgebühr: (Postal fee) Very direct and common.
- die Versandkosten (Plural): (Shipping costs) More general, common in e-commerce, can include more than just postage.
- die Frankatur / das Franko: Often refers to prepaid postage, 'carriage paid'.
- die Beförderungsgebühr: (Transport fee) A more formal term.
Opposite Concept:
- portofrei: (postage-free) Adjective/adverb indicating no postage is charged (e.g., portofreie Lieferung - postage-free delivery).
- unfrei: (carriage forward/collect) Shipment where the recipient must pay the postage upon delivery.
⚠️ Similar but different words:
😄 A Little Joke
Fragt der Postbote den Kollegen: "Warum sind Briefmarken eigentlich so fit?"
Antwortet der Kollege: "Na, weil sie immer an der Ecke kleben und sich auf den Weg machen! Das hält in Form, auch ohne extra Porto für's Fitnessstudio!"
Translation:
One postman asks his colleague: "Why are stamps always so fit?"
The colleague replies: "Well, because they always stick to the corner and get moving! That keeps them in shape, even without extra postage for the gym!"
✍️ Poem about 'das Porto'
Ein Brieflein soll auf Reisen geh'n,
weit fort, das muss man doch versteh'n.
Doch eh es fliegt durch Wind und Land,
nimmt man die Marke in die Hand.
Das Porto klebt nun auf dem Kuvert,
das macht die Reise gar nicht schwer.
Bezahlt ist nun die teure Fracht,
die Post hat's gerne mitgemacht.
Translation:
A little letter wants to travel,
far away, one must unravel.
But before it flies through wind and land,
one takes the stamp into one's hand.
The postage now sticks on the envelope,
which makes the journey easy, gives it scope.
Paid is now the costly freight,
the post office gladly did participate.
❓ A Little Riddle
Ich bin ein Preis, doch kauf' ich nichts.
Ich helfe reisen angesichts
der Ferne, die ein Brief muss gehen.
Man muss mich zahlen, um ihn zu sehen
Am Zielort. Wer bin ich, na klar?
(Man zahlt mich oft in Euro bar)
Translation:
I am a price, but I buy nothing.
I help travel, considering
the distance a letter must go.
One must pay me to see it, you know,
At its destination. Who am I, it's clear?
(You often pay me in Euros here)
Solution: das Porto (the postage)
🌍 Origin and Other Info
Etymology (Word Origin): The word 'Porto' was borrowed from Italian in the 16th century. It derives from porto, the first-person singular present of portare, meaning 'to carry' or 'to bring'. The fee was thus named after the action of transport.
Interesting Fact: The related German verb 'portieren' often means to port in a technical context, i.e., to transfer software or data to another system.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Porto?
The German word 'Porto', meaning postage fee or shipping cost, is always neuter. Therefore, the correct article is das Porto. It does not have common alternative articles or meanings in German.