Parcels from home, documents for the visa office, online orders: you will visit the post office often. Learn to collect, send and track post, and to give reasons and contrasts with deshalb and trotzdem.
🌐 This page in other languages: বাংলা · हिन्दी · தமிழ் · తెలుగు
| German | Meaning |
|---|---|
| die Post | post office; post, mail |
| die Postfiliale, -n | post office branch |
| das Paket, -e | parcel |
| das Päckchen, - | small parcel |
| der Brief, -e | letter |
| die Briefmarke, -n | stamp |
| der Briefkasten, ¨- | letterbox, postbox |
| der Abholschein, -e | collection slip |
| abholen | to collect, pick up |
| die Packstation, -en | parcel locker station |
| das Einschreiben, - | registered letter |
| schicken | to send |
| der Absender, - | sender |
| der Empfänger, - | recipient |
| die Sendungsnummer, -n | tracking number |
| wiegen | to weigh |
| schwer / leicht | heavy / light |
| der Ausweis, -e | ID card |
| annehmen (nimmt an) | to accept (a delivery) |
| der Zoll | customs |
| rund um die Uhr | around the clock |
| deshalb | that's why, so |
| trotzdem | nevertheless, still |
Deshalb means 'that's why' or 'so'. It connects two main clauses: the first gives the reason, the second the result. Deshalb usually stands at the start of the second clause and counts as position 1, so the verb comes next and the subject follows it. Ich war bei der Arbeit. Deshalb war ich nicht zu Hause. You can also use a comma: Die Packstation ist immer offen, deshalb kann ich das Paket abends abholen. Similar words are darum and deswegen.
| Position 1 | Verb | Subject | Rest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deshalb | hole | ich | das Paket morgen ab. |
| Deshalb | schicke | ich | den Brief als Einschreiben. |
| Trotzdem | gehe | ich | zur Post. |
| Trotzdem | ist | es | sicherer. |
Trotzdem means 'nevertheless', 'still' or 'anyway'. The second clause says something you would not expect after the first: Das Einschreiben ist teurer. Trotzdem nehme ich es. Word order is the same as with deshalb: verb in position 2. Trotzdem can also stand after the verb: Es regnet. Ich gehe trotzdem zur Post. In short answers people simply say Trotzdem! or Ich mache es trotzdem.
You already know weil (because). Weil starts a subordinate clause, so the verb goes to the end: Ich war nicht zu Hause, weil ich bei der Arbeit war. The partner of trotzdem is obwohl (although), which also sends the verb to the end: Ich nehme das Einschreiben, obwohl es teurer ist. So: weil / obwohl + verb at the end; deshalb / trotzdem + verb in position 2. Both pairs say the same thing in different ways.
Tap the words in the right order.
You are waiting for a parcel, but you will be away tomorrow. Write a note (60–80 words) to your neighbour. Ask them to accept the parcel, explain why, and use deshalb and trotzdem at least once.
Liebe Frau Schneider, morgen kommt ein Paket für mich. Leider muss ich den ganzen Tag arbeiten, deshalb bin ich nicht zu Hause. Könnten Sie das Paket bitte für mich annehmen? Es ist ein bisschen schwer, aber nicht groß. Ich habe Ihnen meine Handynummer aufgeschrieben: 0151 2345678. Ich komme erst um 19 Uhr nach Hause. Trotzdem möchte ich das Paket gern noch am Abend abholen. Vielen Dank und viele Grüße Imran Qureshi
If the delivery driver misses you, the parcel often goes to a neighbour, a local shop or the post office, and you find a card in your letterbox telling you where it is. Bring the card and an ID to collect it. Parcels are only kept for a limited number of days, so check the date on the card or in the tracking app and don't wait too long.
Parcel lockers such as the Packstation are open day and night; you usually need to register with the parcel company and use their app. For important documents, many people choose registered post (Einschreiben) because you get proof that the letter was sent or delivered. Parcels from outside the EU, for example from India or Pakistan, can be checked by customs (Zoll), and you may have to pay import tax or collect them from a customs office – the letter or tracking notice will tell you what to do.
Related: First 30 days in Germany · German A2 lessons · German phrases you need
