die Post
The totality of letters, parcels, and items being delivered.
EXAMPLE
Ich schaue mal in den Briefkasten, ob die Post schon da ist.
I'll check the mailbox to see whether the mail has arrived yet.
die Post
mail / post office
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Meanings
die Post
postal service
The company or state institution responsible for delivering letters and parcels.
EXAMPLE
Ich muss das Paket noch zur Post bringen.
I still have to take the package to the post office.
die Post
post office
The building where the services of a postal company are offered; the post office.
EXAMPLE
Die nächste Post ist nur fünf Minuten von hier entfernt.
The nearest post office is only five minutes from here.
die Post geht ab
things are really happening
A colloquial idiom meaning that an event is very lively, wild, or exciting.
EXAMPLE
Auf dem Konzert gestern ging wirklich die Post ab!
At the concert yesterday, things were really happening!
Usage tips
False friend
'Die Post' in German primarily means 'mail' or 'post office'. The English word 'post' can also mean a pole, a job position, or a social media post. The German word does not have these meanings.
EXAMPLE
Ich warte auf wichtige Post von der Universität.
I'm waiting for important mail from the university.
Use without an article
When talking about the items being sent themselves, 'Post' is often used like an uncountable noun without an article. For example, you ask: 'Ist Post für mich da?' (Is there any mail for me?).
EXAMPLE
Ich habe heute noch keine Post bekommen.
I haven't received any mail today.
Typical combinations
When referring to the service provider, typical phrases are 'etwas mit der Post schicken' (to send something by mail), 'ein Paket bei der Post aufgeben' (to send/drop off a package at the post office), or 'von der Post geliefert werden' (to be delivered by the postal service).
EXAMPLE
Ich schicke dir die Dokumente morgen mit der Post.
I'll send you the documents by mail tomorrow.
Important prepositions
To describe the place, the prepositions are crucial. You go 'zur Post' (to the post office; movement, accusative), and you are 'auf der Post' or 'in der Post' (at/in the post office; location, dative).
EXAMPLE
Kannst du auf dem Weg nach Hause kurz zur Post gehen?
Can you quickly go to the post office on your way home?
Fixed expression
The idiom 'die Post geht ab' is colloquial and means that things are very lively, loud, and exciting. It is often used for parties, concerts, or festivals.
EXAMPLE
Auf der Party gestern Abend ging echt die Post ab!
At the party last night, things were really happening!
Compare with
Post vs Beitrag
contribution / post
A Beitrag can be a publication on a social network. Post, on the other hand, refers to letters, parcels, and other items being delivered, not to an online publication. So use Beitrag for an entry on the internet, and Post for delivered items.
Post
Die Post mit den Urlaubskarten wurde gestern zugestellt.
The mail containing the vacation cards was delivered yesterday.
Beitrag
Den Beitrag mit den Urlaubsfotos habe ich gestern online veröffentlicht.
I published the post with the vacation photos online yesterday.
In real life
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