die
Mailbox
📧 What exactly is a Mailbox?
The word die Mailbox is a loanword from English (an Anglicism). In German, it primarily refers to two things:
- An electronic storage location for incoming emails (also called das E-Mail-Postfach).
- A telephone's answering machine where voice messages can be left (also known as der Anrufbeantworter or simply die Mailbox).
It always uses the feminine article die. ⚠️ Attention: Unlike in English, „Mailbox“ in German usually does not refer to the physical letterbox at a house (for that, Germans say der Briefkasten).
🧐 Grammar of die Mailbox: Declension
The noun „Mailbox“ is feminine. Here are the declension tables:
Singular
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Mailbox | eine Mailbox |
| Genitive | der Mailbox | einer Mailbox |
| Dative | der Mailbox | einer Mailbox |
| Accusative | die Mailbox | eine Mailbox |
Plural
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Mailboxen | - Mailboxen |
| Genitive | der Mailboxen | - Mailboxen |
| Dative | den Mailboxen | - Mailboxen |
| Accusative | die Mailboxen | - Mailboxen |
📝 Example Sentences
- Ich muss dringend meine Mailbox checken, vielleicht sind neue E-Mails angekommen.
I urgently need to check my mailbox, maybe new emails have arrived. - Bitte hinterlassen Sie nach dem Signalton eine Nachricht auf meiner Mailbox.
Please leave a message on my mailbox after the tone. - Deine Mailbox ist voll, ich konnte keine Nachricht hinterlassen!
Your mailbox is full, I couldn't leave a message!
💬 How to use "Mailbox"?
The term „Mailbox“ is primarily used in the context of digital communication or telecommunication.
- In the office or private life: People talk about checking or emptying their Mailbox (meaning email inbox). Example: „Ich schaue später in meine Mailbox.“ (I'll look in my mailbox later.)
- When telephoning: If someone isn't reachable, you often end up on their Mailbox (answering machine). Example: „Ich habe nur seine Mailbox erreicht.“ (I only reached his mailbox/voicemail.)
Although it's an English loanword, it's firmly established in German. It's important to distinguish it from der Briefkasten (for physical mail).
🧠 Mnemonics for Mailbox
Article Mnemonic: Think of die E-Mail or die Nachricht (the message) that lands in the mailbox. Both are feminine, just like die Mailbox.
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine a digital „Box“ where your electronic „Mail“ (post) is collected. Mail + Box = Mailbox.
↔️ Synonyms and (No Direct) Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- das (E-Mail-)Postfach: Very common for the email function.
- der Anrufbeantworter (AB): Specifically for the telephone function (answering machine).
- das E-Mail-Konto: Often refers to the entire account, not just the inbox (email account).
- (less common) die Voicemailbox: More technical term for the telephone function.
Antonyms (Opposite)
There isn't a direct antonym for „Mailbox“. In context, one might differentiate:
- der Postausgang: The place emails are sent from (outbox, opposite of inbox).
- das Live-Gespräch: A live conversation, as opposed to leaving a message on the mailbox.
Words that could be misleading
- Der Briefkasten: As mentioned, this is the physical mailbox for letters, not electronic messages. Masculine!
😂 A Little Joke
Warum hat der Computer seine Mailbox nie aufgeräumt?
Why did the computer never clean its mailbox?
Er hatte Angst, wichtige Bits zu löschen!
It was afraid of deleting important bits!
✍️ A Poem about the Mailbox
Die Mailbox, digital und rein,
sammelt Nachrichten, groß und klein.
Ob E-Mail schnell, ob Anruf sacht,
sie hält für dich die Stellung, Tag und Nacht.
Ein Klick genügt, schon öffnet sie ihr Tor,
was neu ankam, zeigt sie dir sofort.
The mailbox, digital and pure,
gathers messages, big and small, for sure.
Whether quick email or a gentle call's sound,
it holds the fort for you, all year round.
A click is enough, it opens its gate,
showing you instantly what arrived late.
❓ A Little Riddle
Ich habe keinen Mund, doch Nachrichten kann ich tragen.
Ich habe kein Haus, doch einen Eingang für deine Anfragen.
Ich bin oft voll, doch wiege nichts.
Man prüft mich täglich angesichts.
Was bin ich?
→ Die Mailbox
I have no mouth, yet messages I can bear.
I have no house, yet an entrance for your query is there.
I am often full, yet weigh nothing at all.
People check me daily, responding to my call.
What am I?
→ The Mailbox
🌐 Origin and Composition
Origin: The word „Mailbox“ comes directly from English and is an Anglicism.
Composition: It is composed of:
- Mail: English for „Post“ (originally physical, later also electronic).
- Box: English for „Kasten“ or „Behälter“ (container).
In German, it has established itself as the term for electronic inboxes and answering machines.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Mailbox?
The German word "Mailbox" is always feminine: die Mailbox. It refers to a digital storage location for emails or a telephone answering machine.