First Phrases

Post office and parcels · Deutsch

Post office and parcels in German: 12 survival phrases

Collect a parcel with your delivery notice, send a letter or parcel abroad, ask for tracking and a receipt, and find the nearest post office. Short phrases for the counter.

Phrases, not advice. These cards only help you say what you need. They give no medical, legal, tax or financial advice. For any decision, ask the pharmacist, doctor, bank or the official office.

Register: Polite (formal is safer). Use "Sie" at the counter in Germany. If nobody was home, the carrier leaves a "Benachrichtigungskarte" (notice card) saying where to collect the parcel, often a nearby shop or a Postfiliale. Bring the card and a photo ID.

How to read the sounds: kh = the ch of Scottish 'loch' (after a, o, u) or a soft hiss like 'h' in 'huge' (after i, e). ue = ü (say 'ee' with rounded lips), oe = ö. z = ts, v = f, w = v. Stress is in CAPITALS.

Your recording stays on your device.

Official names used

On this card: Postfiliale, Paket, Benachrichtigungskarte, Packstation. Operator website checked on 2026-10-24:

12 phrases you will need

  1. 01Polite
    Guten Tag. Ich möchte ein Paket abholen.
    Say it like: GOO-ten tahk. ikh MURKH-teh ine pah-KAYT AHP-hoh-len
    Hello. I'd like to pick up a parcel.
    Register: Polite; "möchte" is the standard way to ask.
  2. 02Polite
    Ich habe eine Benachrichtigungskarte. Hier bitte.
    Say it like: ikh HAH-beh INE-eh beh-NAKH-rikh-toongs-kar-teh. heer BIT-teh
    I have a notice card. Here you are.
    Register: The card is left in your mailbox.
  3. 03Neutral
    Ich war nicht zu Hause. Wo kann ich das Paket abholen?
    Say it like: ikh var nikht tsoo HOW-zeh. voh kan ikh dahs pah-KAYT AHP-hoh-len
    I wasn't home. Where can I collect the parcel?
    Register: Neutral; works for any carrier.
  4. 04Polite
    Hier ist mein Reisepass. Reicht das?
    Say it like: heer ist mine RYE-zeh-pahs. rykht dahs
    Here is my passport. Is that enough?
    Register: Polite; ask if you have no German ID card.
  5. 05Neutral
    Muss ich eine Nummer ziehen?
    Say it like: moos ikh INE-eh NOOM-er TSEE-en
    Do I need to take a number?
    Register: You take a ticket from a machine and wait.
  6. 06Polite
    Ich möchte dieses Paket nach … schicken.
    Say it like: ikh MURKH-teh DEE-zes pah-KAYT nahkh SHIK-en
    I'd like to send this parcel to …
    Register: Add the country after "nach".
  7. 07Neutral
    Was kostet der Versand nach …?
    Say it like: vahs KOS-tet dair fer-ZANT nahkh
    How much does it cost to send it to …?
    Register: Neutral question.
  8. 08Neutral
    Eine Briefmarke für einen Brief, bitte.
    Say it like: INE-eh BREEF-mar-keh fuer INE-en breef, BIT-teh
    One stamp for a letter, please.
    Register: "Briefmarke" is the stamp.
  9. 09Neutral
    Mit Sendungsverfolgung, bitte.
    Say it like: mit ZEN-doongs-fer-FOL-goong, BIT-teh
    With tracking, please.
    Register: "Sendungsverfolgung" means tracking.
  10. 10Neutral
    Wie lange dauert die Lieferung?
    Say it like: vee LAHNG-eh DOW-ert dee LEE-feh-roong
    How long does the delivery take?
    Register: Neutral question.
  11. 11Polite
    Kann ich bitte eine Quittung haben?
    Say it like: kan ikh BIT-teh INE-eh KVIT-oong HAH-ben
    Can I have a receipt, please?
    Register: Polite; keep it as proof of sending.
  12. 12Neutral
    Wo ist die nächste Postfiliale?
    Say it like: voh ist dee NEKH-steh POST-fee-lee-AH-leh
    Where is the nearest post office branch?
    Register: Neutral; ask anyone on the street.

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Quick answers

What do I say to start at the post office in German?

Start with: "Guten Tag. Ich möchte ein Paket abholen." (Hello. I'd like to pick up a parcel.)

Should I use informal or formal German at the post office?

Use "Sie" at the counter in Germany. If nobody was home, the carrier leaves a "Benachrichtigungskarte" (notice card) saying where to collect the parcel, often a nearby shop or a Postfiliale. Bring the card and a photo ID.

How do I say I have a delivery notice in German?

Try: "Ich habe eine Benachrichtigungskarte. Hier bitte." (I have a notice card. Here you are.)

Same errand, another language

Español Português Français Deutsch Italiano Nederlands

German, another errand

Pharmacy Doctor / GP Opening a bank account Tax office Renting a flat Christmas market Post office and parcels Registering at the town hall

All 8 × 6 survival decks · Phrases for an evening out

How it works

  1. Pick the errand and the language of the country you are in.
  2. Read the phrases: each has the English meaning, an easy pronunciation guide and a register note. Tap the speaker to hear it in your device's voice, or tap Practise to record yourself and compare with the model (your recording never leaves your device).
  3. Print the card or keep it open on your phone. The official names of offices and numbers are checked against the official sites; native-speaker review is still pending.
  4. Once you are settled, open Meet & Mint to find events near you, see who else is going, join alone and chat with the group.

firstphrases.app/survival/post/de/ · Phrases, not advice · Meet & Mint