die
Post
📬 What does "die Post" mean?
The word die Post (feminine) primarily has two meanings in German:
- Mail, postal service: This refers to the entirety of mailed items (Briefe - letters, Pakete - parcels, etc.) as well as the company or organization handling the delivery. Example: Hast du heute schon die Post geholt? (Did you get the mail today?)
- The post office / branch: This means the building or facility where postal services are offered. Example: Ich muss noch zur Post gehen, um ein Paket aufzugeben. (I still need to go to the post office to send a parcel.)
⚠️ Careful: The word der Posten (masculine) means something different (position, job, guard post, item on a list). Don't confuse die Post with der Posten!
📝 Grammar of "die Post" in Detail
"Die Post" is a feminine noun. It is mostly used in the singular, especially when referring to the mail or the postal system. The plural "die Posten" is very rare and typically refers to different postal organizations or historical postal stations; it's easily confused with the plural of "der Posten" (positions, items).
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Post |
| Genitive | der | Post |
| Dative | der | Post |
| Accusative | die | Post |
(Plural is rare and usually only used in specific contexts, therefore not listed as a standard table here.)
Example Sentences
- Der Postbote bringt täglich die Post. (The mail carrier brings the mail daily. - Accusative)
- Ich warte auf Post von meiner Freundin. (I'm waiting for mail from my girlfriend. - Dative after 'warten auf', used generically here without an article)
- Der Service der Post hat sich verbessert. (The postal service's service has improved. - Genitive)
- Gehst du bitte zur Post? (Will you please go to the post office? - Dative after preposition 'zu')
🗣️ How to use "die Post"?
"Die Post" is an everyday word. Here are some typical contexts:
- Post bekommen/erhalten (to get/receive mail): Ich habe heute viel Post bekommen. (I received a lot of mail today.)
- Post bringen (to deliver mail): Der Briefträger bringt die Post. (The mailman delivers the mail.)
- Zur Post gehen/fahren (to go to the post office): Ich muss zur Post, um Briefmarken zu kaufen. (I have to go to the post office to buy stamps.)
- Bei der Post arbeiten (to work at the post office/for the postal service): Er arbeitet bei der Post. (He works for the postal service.)
- Etwas mit der Post schicken (to send something by mail/post): Sollen wir das Paket mit der Post schicken? (Should we send the parcel by mail?)
Colloquially, "Post" can also refer to news or information: "Na, gibt's Post?" (Well, any news?).
Compared to Brief (a single letter) or Paket (a single parcel), die Post usually refers to the mail collectively or the institution.
💡 Mnemonics for "die Post"
Remembering the article: Die Post delivers important things. Think of the importance, often associated with feminine care or delivery - it's *die* Post. Or imagine *die Queen* getting *die Post*.
Remembering the meaning: Imagine a *post* box (like a fence post, but this is just for association) where you receive *mail*. It's feminine, *die* Post.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for "die Post"
Synonyms
- For letters/parcels: Briefpost (letter mail), Sendungen (shipments/mailings), Zustellung (delivery)
- For the institution/branch: Postamt (post office), Postfiliale (post office branch), Postagentur (postal agency)
- (Colloquial for news): Nachrichten (news), Neuigkeiten (news), Info (info)
Antonyms
Direct antonyms are difficult. One could contrast:
- Öffentliche Post (public mail) vs. Private Nachricht/E-Mail (private message/email)
- Abholung (collection/pickup) vs. Zustellung (delivery - as processes)
Similar but different words
😂 A Little Joke
DE: Fragt der Chef den neuen Mitarbeiter: "Haben Sie schon mal Post sortiert?"
Azubi: "Ja, klar!"
Chef: "Gut, dann sortieren Sie doch bitte mal die hier nach Farben."
EN: The boss asks the new employee: "Have you ever sorted mail (Post)?"
Trainee: "Yes, of course!"
Boss: "Good, then please sort this mail here by color."
📜 Poem about die Post
DE:
Ob Brief, ob Päckchen, groß ob klein,
Die Post bringt's zuverlässig heim.
Durch Regen, Schnee und Sonnenschein,
Lässt sie uns niemals ganz allein.
Im Amt, da holt man Marken schnell,
Die Post ist da, sofort zur Stell'.
EN:
Be it letter or parcel, big or small,
Die Post reliably brings it home to all.
Through rain, snow, and sunshine bright,
It never leaves us lonely, day or night.
At the office, stamps are quick to find,
Die Post is there, always on time.
🤔 Little Riddle
DE:
Ich komme täglich, doch hab keinen Mund.
Ich bringe Nachrichten aus aller Rund.
Manchmal bin ich ein Gebäude, manchmal nur ein Brief.
Ich verbinde Menschen, auch wenn jemand schlief.
Wer bin ich? (Lösung: die Post)
EN:
I come daily, but have no mouth.
I bring news from all around, north and south.
Sometimes I'm a building, sometimes just a letter brief.
I connect people, even bringing relief.
What am I? (Answer: die Post / the mail/post office)
🌐 Other Information
Word Origin: The word "Post" comes from the Italian posta, which originally meant "stopping place" or "station" (for changing horses for couriers). It entered German via the French poste.
Well-known Postal Companies: In Germany, Deutsche Post AG (often simply called "Die Post") is the most famous company, originating from the former state-owned Deutsche Bundespost.
Compound Words: There are many German words formed with "Post-", e.g.: Postkarte (postcard), Postleitzahl (postal code/ZIP code), Postbote (mail carrier), Postgeheimnis (privacy of correspondence), Postkutsche (stagecoach), Online-Post (email).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Post?
The German word for mail or the post office is feminine: die Post. It refers to both the letters and parcels delivered and the institution or building itself. Remember: die Post delivers die news (Nachrichten).