printed matter / printed document
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printed matter
Printed materials such as advertising brochures, catalogs, or newspapers, which are often sent at a lower postage rate than letters.
Der Briefkasten war voll mit unadressierter Werbung, die als Drucksache verschickt wurde.
The mailbox was full of unaddressed advertising that had been sent as printed matter.
'Drucksache' (printed matter/printed document) is a compound noun made up of 'Druck' (print, from the verb 'drucken' — to print) and 'Sache' (thing). So it literally means 'a printed thing' or 'printed material'.
Werbung und Kataloge gelten bei der Post als Drucksache.
Advertisements and catalogs count as printed matter at the post office.
The context makes the meaning clear. In connection with 'Post' (mail), 'Briefkasten' (mailbox), or 'versenden' (to send), it means the postal item. In the context of 'Parlament' (parliament), 'Regierung' (government), or 'Gesetz' (law), it refers to an official document.
Kann ich diesen Katalog als Drucksache verschicken?
Can I send this catalog as printed matter?
As an official document, 'Drucksache' (printed document) is a technical term from administration and politics, especially in parliaments such as the Bundestag. There, official motions and bills are referred to and numbered this way.
Jeder Gesetzentwurf wird als Drucksache veröffentlicht.
Every bill is published as a printed document.
letter
'der Brief' and 'die Drucksache' can both be sent by mail, but they do not mean the same thing. A 'Brief' is usually a personal or direct written message, for example to a specific person. A 'Drucksache' is printed matter such as a brochure, catalog, or newspaper, and is often not written personally. Learners may confuse the words because both can be in the mailbox. If a message is personally worded, 'Brief' fits. If it is about printed information or advertising, 'Drucksache' fits.
Im Briefkasten lag nur eine Drucksache mit Angeboten vom Supermarkt.
There was only a piece of printed matter with supermarket offers in the mailbox.
Nach dem Umzug hat Lisa ihrer Oma einen langen Brief geschrieben.
After moving, Lisa wrote her grandma a long letter.