logo
  • Programs
    • Preschool
    • Elementary School
    • Middle School
    • High School
    • Adults
    • School Solutions
  • School Solutions
  • Pricing
  • How it Works
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • My Cart
  • Login
  • Try a Free Class

855-997-4652LoginTry a Free Class

  • Programs
    • Preschool
    • Elementary School
    • Middle School
    • High School
    • Adults
    • School Solutions
  • School Solutions
  • Pricing
  • How it Works
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • My Cart
  • Login
  • Try a Free Class
logo
  • Programs
    • Preschool
    • Elementary School
    • Middle School
    • High School
    • Adults
    • School Solutions
  • School Solutions
  • Pricing
  • How it Works
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • My Cart
  • Login
  • Try a Free Class

855-997-4652LoginTry a Free Class

  • Programs
    • Preschool
    • Elementary School
    • Middle School
    • High School
    • Adults
    • School Solutions
  • School Solutions
  • Pricing
  • How it Works
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • My Cart
  • Login
  • Try a Free Class
June 13, 2021 by Carmen Rizzo Spanish Vocabulary 0 comments

An Easy Vocabulary Guide to Describe the Post Office in Spanish

El servicio postal, also called el correo or la oficina de correos, is the way you refer to the post office in Spanish. 

If you ever find yourself visiting or living in a Spanish-speaking country, learning to talk about the post office is essential. Even with all the technologic advances in electronic communication, the post office remains important and relevant!

The function of la oficina de correos is to send, receive, order, handle, transmit, and deliver mail (including packages) within a country or internationally. 

While mail may be slower than a text or an email, the postal service is the best way to send packages, letters, and important original-copy documents! 

In this blog post, learn all you need to know to discuss the post office in Spanish.

¡Empecemos! 

Let’s Talk About Letters in Spanish

post office in Spanish

Imagine you’re living in a Spanish-speaking country and you want to send your family and friends a letter detailing all your adventures and new life—or you’re ready to send off your collection of dedicated postcards and souvenirs. 

How would you do it? 

Las cartas (letters) are the most popular objects sent through the post offices. As one of the oldest forms of human communication, letters continue to hold value in connecting you to your friends, family, and even local businesses. 

Here is some Spanish vocabulary on some different types of letters:

SpanishEnglish
La cartaLetter
La carta informalInformal letter
La carta formalFormal letter
La carta muy formalVery formal letter
La carta familiarFamily letter
La carta informativaInformative letter
La carta personalPersonal letter

Structure of a Letter in Spanish

Depending on your letter’s goal and its recipient, you will need to consider the following structural elements of a letter:

SpanishEnglish
La estructura de la cartaThe letter structure
El membreteLetterhead
El lugar y la fechaPlace and date
El saludoGreeting
El cuerpo de la cartaBody of the letter 
La despedidaFarewell
La firmaSignature
El nombreName
La posdata o P.DPostscript or P.S
Infographic

Labeling Your Envelope in Spanish

Now that you know the different types of cards that exist and their structure, learn to label your envelope before you send it through the post office!

Learn More: How to Write Your Address in Spanish

SpanishEnglish
El sobreEnvelope
La estampilla / el sello postalStamp
El remitenteSender
El destinatarioRecipient
El nombreName
La direcciónAddress
El código postalZip code
La referenciaReference 

But, what if what you need to send doesn’t fit in an envelope? 

Items to Send Through the Mail in Spanish

We all know that letters aren’t the only items to go through the post office! 

At this point in history, you can order almost anything you can imagine to be delivered to your home through the mail. Here are a few options of items in Spanish that are sent through the mail:

SpanishEnglish
El paquetePackage
La paqueteríaParcel
El dineroMoney
Las remesasRemittances
Los documentosDocuments
Las encomiendasParcel
Las medicinasMedicine 
Los productos no perecederosNon-perishable products
Los dulcesCandies
Los regalosGifts
Las compras por internetOnline shopping
La ropaClothes
Los zapatosShoes
Los electrónicosElectronics
Los objetos tecnológicosTechnology

The Post Office in Spanish

Let’s explore vocabulary about the post office as a physical space and the people who work there. 

Describe Your Local Post Office in Spanish

All post offices are different, even those that are in the same country! The following list of adjectives give you easy access to describe your local post office in Spanish.

SpanishEnglish
La oficina postal es / La oficina de correos es: The post office is: 
GrandeBig
PequeñaSmall
LentaSlow 
RápidaFast
LimpiaClean
SuciaDirty
EficienteEfficient
IneficienteInefficient

Example Spanish Sentences

La oficina postal cerca de mi casa es lenta al hacer el envío.
The postal office near my house is slow to ship.

La oficina postal es muy limpia y eficiente.
The post office is really clean and efficient.

En el pueblo, hay una oficina postal pequeña.
In the town, there is a small postal office.

post office in Spanish

Spanish Vocabulary: Inside the Post Office

The post office is a unique place with specific items inside that you won’t find anywhere else. But, like any other government office, it has basic furniture items like desks and shelves.

Here are some more things you can find in a post office:

SpanishEnglish
El correoMail
El correo internacionalInternational mail
El correo militarMilitary mail
El paquete fragilFragile package
La mercaderíaMerchandise
La tarjeta postalPostcard
Las órdenes de pagoMoney orders
Los pasaportesPassports
El apartado de correosPost Office box / P.O box
Las estanteríasShelves
Las carretasWagons/Carts
El buzonMail box
El mostradorDesk
Los sellosSeals
La papeleríaStationery
infographic

Now, who is in charge of moving all that stuff around and making the post office as reliable as it is? 

Post office workers!

Post Office Workers in Spanish

It’s not only el cartero (mailman) who makes everything run smoothly at the post office. Here is a list of post office workers in Spanish.

SpanishEnglish
Personal de la oficina postal / de correosPost office workers
El personal de repartoDelivery staff
El carteroMailman / Mail carrier / Postman
La mensajera / La cartera Mailwoman / Mailcarrier / Postwoman
El clasificador / La clasificadora de correoMail sorter
La atención al clienteCustomer Support
El/La recepcionistaReceptionist
La administraciónAdministration

At this point, we’ve covered how to describe your post office, what’s inside it, and who works there.
But what else can we learn about the post office in Spanish?

Some other important actions we can take while there!

What to Do at the Post Office in Spanish

Between sending and receiving a letter and a postcard or a package, there are plenty other actions that happen inside the post office. Here are some of them in Spanish:

SpanishEnglish
CertificarTo certificate
ComprarTo buy
Comprar estampillasTo buy stamps
DespacharTo ship
DistribuirTo distribute
Declarar en AduanaTo do a customs declaration
Encargar To place an order
EntregarTo deliver
Enviar el correoTo send the mail
FirmarTo sign
LlegarTo arrive
Llenar una formaTo fill out a form
OrdenarTo arrange
PagarTo pay
Pagar el arancelTo pay the tariff
Pagar impuestosTo pay taxes
PesarTo weight
Recibir el correoTo receive the mail
RecogerTo pick up
ReembolsarTo reimburse
RegresarTo return
Repartir el correoTo deliver de mail
SellarTo Seal

You’ve got all you need to prepare or receive your mail. Let’s see some common Spanish phrases to boost your conversational skills to a whole other level.

Common Spanish Phrases to Use in the Post Office

You are almost ready to send your package, but you still have some questions about the shipping and prices. Here are some examples on how to express your concerns. 

post office in Spanish

Necesito enviar este paquete a Estados Unidos.
I need to send this package to the United States.

Necesito enviar esta carta a Estados Unidos.
I need to send this letter to the United States.

¿Qué precio tiene el envío?
What is the price of shipping?

¿Pueden pesar el paquete aquí?
Can you weigh the package here?

¿Cuál es el límite de peso por paquete?
What is the weight limit per package?

¿Qué precio necesito mi estampilla?
What price do I need for my stamp?

¿Hay que hacer una declaración de aduana?
Do I have to make a customs declaration?

¿Cuentan con envíos express?
Do you have express delivery?

¿Puedo enviar paquetes frágiles?
Can I send fragile packages?

¿En cuánto tiempo recibirá mi carta mi mamá? 
How long will it take for my mother to receive my letter?

Practice Your Order

¡Buenos días! Necesito enviar esta carta y este paquete a Estados Unidos. Me gustaría hacerlo por envío express, y con la advertencia de paquete frágil porque envío algunas galletas y dulces. ¿Es posible hacerlo? Además quisiera comprar unas cuantas estampillas y postales. Muchas gracias.

Good morning! I need to send this letter and this package to the United States. I would like to do it by express delivery, and with the warning of fragile packages because I am sending some cookies and candies. Is it possible to do it? Also, I would like to buy a few stamps and postcards. Thank you very much.  

Speak Spanish with a Native Speaker!

Here at Homeschool Spanish Academy we know that practice makes perfect and teamwork is key to advance in our goals. Today is the day to get your Spanish learning process to the next level! Sign up to a free 1-on-1 class with a native Spanish speaker teacher and let us help you out with your goals! 

We have more than 10 years of experience teaching Spanish and offer you tailored Spanish packages that adapt to your needs and your time. What are you waiting for? Join our community of more than 24,000 monthly enrolled students and let’s work together!

sign up for a free spanish class
Sign up for your FREE TRIAL CLASS today!

Ready to learn more Spanish vocabulary? Check these out!

  • Top 15 New Year’s Resolutions in Spanish
  • 100+ Basic Spanish Words and Phrases for Travelers
  • 29 Cool and Catchy Spanish Phrases To Use With Friends [+Audio]
  • 52 Spanish Connecting Words to Sound Like a Native
  • ‘How Much Is It?’ in Spanish: A Guide to Travel and Shopping
  • Ultimate Guide to 80+ Dance Vocabulary Words in Spanish
  • Ordinal Numbers in Spanish
  • Essential Swimming Vocabulary in Spanish (100+ Words!)
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Carmen Rizzo
Carmen Rizzo
Freelance Writer at Homeschool Spanish Academy
I’m a native Spanish speaker from Guatemala with a B.A. in Psychology. I have a passion for teaching Sunday school in my spare time and for learning and sharing valuable information. I'm a cat lover who gets excited over cartoons, anime, and video games. I dabble in digital illustration and animation. I'm inspired by sharing my culture, traditions, food, and beliefs with others, while learning about theirs in return.
Carmen Rizzo
Latest posts by Carmen Rizzo (see all)
  • Guatemala’s Biggest, Most Colorful Market: Chichicastenango - December 28, 2022
  • 8 Sad Spanish Songs for When Your Heart Is Broken - December 6, 2022
  • The Glamorous Guide to Beauty Salon Vocabulary in Spanish - November 27, 2022
spanish vocabulary vocabulary
1

Related Posts

mission trip Spanish

45+ Mission Trip Spanish Phrases You Need To Know

December 23, 2021
Read More
Spanish quotes

44 Essential Spanish Quotes and Proverbs to Fuel Your Motivation

October 21, 2021
Read More
Spanish body parts

Spanish Body Parts: Vocabulary, Idioms, and Culture

January 4, 2022
Read More
Spanish greetings

Spanish 101: Greetings and Farewells

May 2, 2022
Read More

Leave a Comment! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

10 Engaging Spanish Videos for Elementary StudentsPrevious Post
Chismeando: How to Spread Gossip in SpanishNext Post

About Us

With over 10 years of experience, HSA is where your goals merge with our teachers’ passion: to improve your Spanish fluency. Custom-tailored to fit your needs, you choose your program, schedule, favorite teachers, pace of learning, and more.. Learn More

Resources

  • About
  • Get a Transcript
  • FAQs
  • How it Works
  • Partners

Recent Posts

  • How To Teach Sight Words in Spanish to Kids
    How To Teach Sight Words in Spanish to Kids
    January 13, 2023
    Did you know that by learning sight words in...
  • What’s the Best Age for Kids To Learn Spanish?
    What’s the Best Age for Kids To Learn Spanish?
    January 13, 2023
    A common question parents of second language...

Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Contact Us© 2022 HSA. All rights reserved.