der Briefkasten
mailbox
A box on a house or apartment into which mail items such as letters and newspapers are delivered.
EXAMPLE
Ich schaue jeden Morgen nach, ob Post im Briefkasten ist.
I check every morning whether there is mail in the mailbox.
der Briefkasten
mailbox
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Meanings
der Briefkasten
mailbox
A public postal box into which you can put stamped letters and postcards for mailing.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du auf dem Weg zur Arbeit diesen Brief in den Briefkasten werfen?
Can you drop this letter in the mailbox on your way to work?
Usage tips
Compound word
'Briefkasten' (mailbox) is a compound noun made up of 'der Brief' (letter) and 'der Kasten' (box). So it literally means 'a box for letters'.
EXAMPLE
Der Postbote hat heute nur Werbung in den Briefkasten geworfen.
The mail carrier only put advertisements in the mailbox today.
Context clue: direction
To distinguish the two meanings, pay attention to the action. If it is about receiving mail ('Post holen' — to get the mail, 'etwas ist im Kasten' — something is in the box), it refers to the box at the house. If it is about sending ('Brief einwerfen' — to drop off a letter), it refers to the public box.
EXAMPLE
Ich muss noch die Post aus dem Briefkasten holen.
I still have to get the mail from the mailbox.
Typical collocations (house)
When the mailbox at a house is meant, typical actions are: 'den Briefkasten leeren' (to empty the mailbox), 'in den Briefkasten schauen' (to look in the mailbox), or 'Post aus dem Briefkasten holen' (to get mail from the mailbox).
EXAMPLE
Hast du heute schon den Briefkasten geleert?
Have you emptied the mailbox yet today?
Typical collocations (public)
When the public mailbox is meant, typical phrases are: 'einen Brief einwerfen' (to drop off a letter), 'zum Briefkasten gehen' (to go to the mailbox), or the question 'Wo ist der nächste Briefkasten?' (Where is the nearest mailbox?).
EXAMPLE
Entschuldigung, wissen Sie, wo hier der nächste Briefkasten ist?
Excuse me, do you know where the nearest mailbox is around here?
In real life
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