mailbox
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mailbox
A box on a house or apartment into which mail items such as letters and newspapers are delivered.
Ich schaue jeden Morgen nach, ob Post im Briefkasten ist.
I check every morning whether there is mail in the mailbox.
'Briefkasten' (mailbox) is a compound noun made up of 'der Brief' (letter) and 'der Kasten' (box). So it literally means 'a box for letters'.
Der Postbote hat heute nur Werbung in den Briefkasten geworfen.
The mail carrier only put advertisements in the mailbox today.
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.
Ich muss noch die Post aus dem Briefkasten holen.
I still have to get the mail from the mailbox.
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).
Hast du heute schon den Briefkasten geleert?
Have you emptied the mailbox yet today?
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?).
Entschuldigung, wissen Sie, wo hier der nächste Briefkasten ist?
Excuse me, do you know where the nearest mailbox is around here?
mailbox / PO box
'der Briefkasten' and 'das Postfach' both have to do with mail, but they are used in different situations. A 'Briefkasten' is on a house or apartment so that letters and newspapers can be delivered. A public 'Briefkasten' is used to send letters. A 'Postfach' is either a rented compartment in a post office or, in the digital context, the place for emails. The words can be confusing because both can receive mail. For regular mail at home, you usually say 'Briefkasten'; for a rented compartment or emails, 'Postfach'.
Nach der Arbeit schaut Lisa in den Briefkasten vor der Haustür.
After work, Lisa checks the mailbox by the front door.
Die Firma hat ein Postfach bei der Post gemietet.
The company has rented a PO box at the post office.