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Phrasebook

English Phrases at the Post Office

Sending a package or picking one up is easy once you know a few key words: package, tracking number, customs form, pickup. These phrases cover the counter, the mailbox and missed deliveries.

34 phrases · By LearnLingo Team · Updated

Tap to hear a phrase. Levels follow the CEFR scale. American English is the default; British variants are noted.

Sending a package

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

I'd like to send this package to Turkey.

A2

UK: "parcel". Americans say "package".

Bu paketi Türkiye'ye göndermek istiyorum.
  • Sure. Can you put it on the scale?
  • What's inside?

How much does it cost to send this?

A1
Bunu göndermek ne kadar tutar?
  • Let me weigh it first.
  • It depends on how fast you want it to arrive.

How long will it take to get there?

A2
Oraya ulaşması ne kadar sürer?
  • About a week with standard shipping.
  • Two to three days if you send it express.

What's the fastest way to send it?

A2
Göndermenin en hızlı yolu ne?
  • Express is the fastest, but it costs more.

Can I get a tracking number?

A2

You can follow the package online with this number.

Takip numarası alabilir miyim?
  • Yes, it's printed on your receipt.

Does it need a customs form?

B1

Also: "customs declaration". Describe the contents honestly.

Gümrük formu gerekiyor mu?
  • Yes, for anything going abroad. Please fill out this form.
  • Just list what's inside and the value.

It's fragile.

A2

Fragile means it can break easily.

İçinde kırılacak eşya var.
  • We'll put a fragile sticker on it.

I'd like to send this by registered mail.

B1

In the US, "certified mail" is the usual choice for proof of delivery. In the UK, ask for "Signed For" or "Special Delivery".

Bunu taahhütlü göndermek istiyorum.
  • Do you need a signature on delivery?

Can it be signed for on delivery?

B1
Teslimatta imza alınabilir mi?
  • Yes, there's an option for that.

Can I insure this package?

B1
Bu paketi sigortalatabilir miyim?
  • Yes. What's the value of the contents?

Is this envelope okay, or do I need a box?

B1
Bu zarf olur mu, yoksa kutu mu gerekiyor?
  • A padded envelope is fine for that.
  • I'd use a box for something that heavy.

Stamps and letters

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

I'd like some stamps, please.

A1

In the US you can ask for "a book of stamps".

Pul almak istiyorum, lütfen.
  • Domestic or international?
  • How many do you need?

How many stamps do I need for this letter?

A2
Bu mektup için kaç pul gerekiyor?
  • Let me weigh it. Just one.

I'd like to send this postcard to Istanbul.

A1
Bu kartpostalı İstanbul'a göndermek istiyorum.
  • You'll need an international stamp for that.

Where's the nearest mailbox?

A1

UK: "postbox" or "letter box".

En yakın posta kutusu nerede?
  • There's one right outside the door.

When is the last pickup today?

B1

UK: "last collection".

Bugün son toplama saati kaç?
  • It's at five o'clock.
  • You just missed it. The next one is tomorrow morning.

What's the zip code for this address?

A2

UK: "postcode".

Bu adresin posta kodu ne?
  • Let me look it up for you.

Where do I write the return address?

A2

In the US it goes in the top left corner on the front. In the UK people often write it on the back.

Gönderici adresini nereye yazıyorum?
  • In the top left corner.

Picking up and tracking

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

I'm here to pick up a package.

A2

UK: "I'm here to collect a parcel."

Bir paket almaya geldim.
  • Do you have the notice and a photo ID?

I got a missed delivery notice.

B1

In the UK it's often called a "Sorry we missed you" card.

Teslim edilemedi bildirimi aldım.
  • Can I see it, please?

Here's my ID and the notice.

A2
Buyurun, kimliğim ve bildirim kâğıdı.
  • Thanks. I'll be right back with it.

My package hasn't arrived yet.

A2
Paketim henüz gelmedi.
  • Do you have the tracking number?

Could you check where it is?

A2
Nerede olduğuna bakabilir misiniz?
  • Sure. It's at the local sorting center.

The tracking says it was delivered, but I didn't get it.

B2
Takipte teslim edildi görünüyor ama bana ulaşmadı.
  • Let me file a report for you.
  • Have you checked with your neighbors?

Can I have it redelivered?

B1
Yeniden teslim edilmesini isteyebilir miyim?
  • Yes. You can schedule redelivery online.

How long will you hold it?

B1
Paketi ne kadar süre bekletiyorsunuz?
  • We usually hold packages for about two weeks.

Can someone else pick it up for me?

B1
Başka biri benim yerime alabilir mi?
  • Yes, with a signed note from you and their own ID.

Other services

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

Can I pay by card?

A1
Kartla ödeyebilir miyim?
  • Yes, of course.
  • Card or contactless, both are fine.

Do you sell boxes and envelopes?

A2
Kutu ve zarf satıyor musunuz?
  • Yes, they're on the shelf over there.

Do I need to fill out a form?

A2

UK: "fill in a form".

Bir form doldurmam gerekiyor mu?
  • Only for international mail.

Can I print a shipping label here?

B1
Gönderi etiketini burada yazdırabilir miyim?
  • Yes, use the machine by the door.
  • Do you have the QR code on your phone?

I'd like to return this package to the sender.

B1

For unopened mail, you can often write "Return to sender" on it.

Bu paketi göndericiye iade etmek istiyorum.
  • Has it been opened?

I'm moving. How do I forward my mail?

B1

UK: "redirect your mail".

Taşınıyorum. Postalarımı yeni adresime nasıl yönlendiririm?
  • You can fill out a change of address form online.

Can you hold my mail while I'm away?

B1
Ben yokken postalarımı bekletebilir misiniz?
  • Yes. Which dates will you be away?

Sample dialogues

Sending a package abroad

Clerk
Hi there. What can I do for you?
Merhaba. Sizin için ne yapabilirim?
Customer
Hi, I'd like to send this package to Turkey.
Merhaba, bu paketi Türkiye'ye göndermek istiyorum.
Clerk
Sure. Can you put it on the scale? What's inside?
Tabii. Teraziye koyabilir misiniz? İçinde ne var?
Customer
Just some books and a scarf. It's a gift.
Sadece birkaç kitap ve bir atkı. Hediye.
Clerk
Okay. You'll need to fill out this customs form.
Tamam. Bu gümrük formunu doldurmanız gerekecek.
Customer
No problem. How long will it take to get there?
Sorun değil. Oraya ulaşması ne kadar sürer?
Clerk
About a week with standard shipping, or a few days with express.
Standart gönderiyle yaklaşık bir hafta, ekspresle birkaç gün.
Customer
Standard is fine. Can I get a tracking number?
Standart olsun. Takip numarası alabilir miyim?
Clerk
Yes, it's on your receipt. Here you go.
Evet, fişinizde yazıyor. Buyurun.

Picking up a missed delivery

Customer
Hi, I'm here to pick up a package. I got a missed delivery notice.
Merhaba, bir paket almaya geldim. Teslim edilemedi bildirimi aldım.
Clerk
Okay. Can I see the notice and a photo ID?
Tamam. Bildirimi ve fotoğraflı kimliğinizi görebilir miyim?
Customer
Sure. Here's my passport and the notice.
Tabii. Buyurun, pasaportum ve bildirim.
Clerk
Thanks. Give me a minute to find it.
Teşekkürler. Bulmam için bana bir dakika verin.
Clerk
Here it is. Can you sign here, please?
İşte burada. Şuraya imza atabilir misiniz, lütfen?
Customer
Of course. By the way, how long do you usually hold packages?
Tabii. Bu arada, paketleri genelde ne kadar bekletiyorsunuz?
Clerk
About two weeks. After that, they go back to the sender.
Yaklaşık iki hafta. Sonra göndericiye geri gidiyor.
Customer
Good to know. Thanks for your help.
Bunu bildiğim iyi oldu. Yardımınız için teşekkürler.

Common mistakes Turkish speakers make

I want to send a cargo.

I'd like to send a package.

In Turkish "kargo" means a parcel or a delivery company. In English "cargo" is goods carried in large amounts by ship, plane or truck.

Can I take my package?

I'm here to pick up my package.

"Paketimi almaya geldim" is "pick up" (US) or "collect" (UK). "Take" sounds like you want to grab it.

What is the post code of here?

What's the zip code here?

"Of here" is not natural English. Americans say "zip code" and British speakers say "postcode".

I will send it with express.

I'll send it by express.

For ways of sending, English uses "by": by mail, by express, by airmail.

Where is the PTT?

Where's the post office?

PTT is the Turkish postal service. In English the building is simply "the post office".

Quick quiz

Eight questions to check what you remember. Pick an answer to see if it is right.

  1. 1. A parcel company in Turkish is often called "kargo". In English you send a...

  2. 2. What do British speakers call a mailbox in the street?

  3. 3. Complete: "I'd like to send this ___ registered mail."

  4. 4. The American word for "postcode" is...

  5. 5. You weren't home when the package came. You probably got a...

  6. 6. "Fragile" means...

  7. 7. You want to follow your package online. You ask...

  8. 8. British speakers say "last collection". Americans usually say...

0 of 8 answered

Show all answers
  1. package
  2. postbox
  3. by
  4. zip code
  5. missed delivery notice
  6. it can break easily
  7. Can I get a tracking number?
  8. last pickup

See what the A2 English course covers, or test your level first.

People also ask

Is it "mail" or "post"?+

Both mean the same thing. Americans usually say "mail" (mail a letter, the mailman), while British speakers prefer "post" (post a letter, the postman). Everyone understands both.

What is the difference between a package and a parcel?+

There is no real difference. "Package" is the normal American word and "parcel" is the normal British word for a wrapped box you send by mail.

When do I need a customs form?+

You usually need one when you send goods to another country. You list what is inside and its value. Ask the clerk which form to use, because rules change between countries.

How do I write an address in English?+

Write the name, then the house number and street, then the city. In the US the city, state and zip code go on one line. In the UK the postcode usually goes on its own line at the end.

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