mailbox
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voicemail
A digital answering machine for a phone that records voice messages when the person being called cannot be reached.
Ich war nicht da, aber der Anrufer hat mir eine Nachricht auf die Mailbox gesprochen.
I wasn't there, but the caller left me a message on my voicemail.
The word 'Mailbox' (mailbox) is an Anglicism that was borrowed directly from English. It is made up of the words 'mail' (post/mail) and 'box' (box).
Bitte hinterlassen Sie eine Nachricht auf meiner Mailbox.
Please leave a message on my voicemail.
The most common meaning of 'Mailbox' (mailbox) in German is a phone's answering machine or voicemail. The context (call, leaving a spoken message) makes it clear that it is not about emails.
Ich rufe dich später zurück, ich muss erst meine Mailbox abhören.
I'll call you back later; I first need to listen to my voicemail.
In connection with voicemail, the verbs 'abhören' (to listen to), 'abfragen' (to check), or the phrase 'eine Nachricht auf der Mailbox hinterlassen' (to leave a message on the voicemail) are often used.
Hast du meine Nachricht auf deiner Mailbox noch nicht abgehört?
Haven't you listened to my message on your voicemail yet?
You leave a spoken message 'auf die Mailbox' (on/onto the voicemail; accusative, direction). A message is then 'auf der Mailbox' (on the voicemail; dative, location).
Können Sie mir Ihre Nummer auf die Mailbox sprechen?
Can you leave me your number on my voicemail?
mailbox / PO box
'Postfach' and 'Mailbox' can both mean a place where messages arrive. For emails, 'Postfach' is very natural: it is the area in an email account where messages are stored. 'Mailbox' can also mean an email inbox, but in everyday language, 'Mailbox' very often means the answering machine or voicemail on a phone for voice messages. 'Postfach' can also be a rented compartment at the post office. The words are therefore easy to confuse, especially in the digital context. A simple rule of thumb: for emails, 'Postfach' is usually clearer; for phone voice messages, you say 'Mailbox'.
Lisa war nicht erreichbar, deshalb habe ich ihr auf die Mailbox gesprochen.
Lisa could not be reached, so I left her a voicemail.
Bitte prüf dein Postfach, ich habe dir die Unterlagen per E-Mail geschickt.
Please check your inbox; I sent you the documents by email.