die / das  Mail

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/meɪ̯l/

📧 What does "Mail" actually mean?

The German word Mail can have two possible articles and meanings, although one is far more common than the other:

🚨 Attention: In everyday life, die Mail (email) is almost always meant. The neuter form is extremely unusual.

🧐 Grammar of "Mail": Declension in Detail

Here you can see the declension for both articles:

Declension die Mail (feminine, email)

Declension das Mail (neuter, armour) - ⚠️ Rare!

Example Sentences for Clarity

1. (die Mail) Hast du meine Mail bekommen? (Did you receive my email?)
2. (die Mail) Ich muss noch einige Mails beantworten. (I still have to answer some emails.)
3. (das Mail) Das Museum stellt ein mittelalterliches Mail aus. (The museum is exhibiting medieval mail armour. - context: armour, very rare)

💬 How to Use "Mail" in Everyday Life?

The usage of Mail in German is clearly divided:

• Die Mail: This is the standard form in modern German and always refers to an E-Mail. It's an Anglicism (from English e-mail) and is firmly established. People talk about Mails schreiben (writing emails), lesen (reading), weiterleiten (forwarding), bekommen (receiving), etc.
• Das Mail: This form is extremely rare and mostly used only in historical or very specific technical contexts (e.g., weaponry) for a type of chainmail armour. It derives from the French word maille (mesh, ring). In normal conversation, one would rather say Kettenhemd or Panzerhemd.

👉 In short: When talking about electronic messages, always use die Mail.

🧠 Mnemonics for "Mail"

For the article (die Mail): Think of die Nachricht (the message), die Botschaft (the message/dispatch), die E-Mail. Many communication terms in German are feminine. Die E-Mail is like a digital Nachricht - both often feminine.

For the meaning (die Mail): Think of the speed: "My Mail will sail quickly through the internet." Link the sound to the concept of fast digital delivery.

For the rare form (das Mail): Think of das Metall (the metal), das Kettenhemd (the chainmail shirt - although this is actually neuter, it helps associate 'das' with armour). The armour (das Mail) is made of a material (ein Material, neuter concept).

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Chef seine neue Sekretärin: "Können Sie mir bitte meine Mails ausdrucken?"
Sie antwortet: "Klar, aber geht das nicht gegen die Datenschutzgrundverordnung Ihrer Frau?"

--- Translation ---

The boss asks his new secretary: "Could you please print out my emails?"
She replies: "Sure, but doesn't that violate your wife's GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)?"

✍️ A Short Poem

Ein Klick, ein Ton, es ist so weit,
Im Postfach liegt sie schon bereit.
Die Mail bringt Nachricht, schnell und klar,
Ob fern von hier, ob nah, ob gar
Von nebenan, digital gesandt,
Durchs Netz geschickt, von Hand zu Hand.

--- Translation ---

A click, a sound, the time has come,
In the inbox, it's already home.
The mail brings news, quick and clear,
Whether far away, or near, or e'en
From next door, digitally sent,
Through the net, from hand to hand it went.

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich komme digital zu dir,
Trage Worte, manchmal Zier.
Ich hab' kein Porto, reise schnell,
Mein Artikel ist meist femininell.

Was bin ich?

--- Translation ---

I come to you digitally,
Carry words, sometimes fancy.
I have no postage, travel fast,
My article is mostly feminine cast.

What am I?

Solution: die Mail (email)

💡 Other Information

Word Origin (Etymology):

• Die Mail (email): Comes directly from the English (e-)mail, which in turn derives from mail meaning "post" (originally "traveling bag").
• Das Mail (armour): Comes from the French maille, meaning "mesh" or "ring". This refers to the structure of chainmail armour.

Interesting: Although both words are spelled the same, they have completely different origins and meanings. The context and the article make the difference!