In 15 Seconds
- Used for mailing a physical parcel at a post office.
- Uses the separable verb 'aufgeben' (to dispatch/hand over).
- Essential for errands, returns, and sending gifts by mail.
Meaning
This phrase is used when you take a parcel to a post office or shipping point to have it sent to someone else.
Key Examples
3 of 6At the post office counter
Guten Tag, ich möchte dieses Paket nach Frankreich aufgeben.
Hello, I would like to send this package to France.
Texting a roommate
Ich bin in 10 Minuten zurück, ich gebe nur kurz ein Paket auf.
I'll be back in 10 minutes, I'm just quickly dropping off a package.
Asking a favor from a partner
Kannst du bitte mein Paket aufgeben, wenn du zur Stadt fährst?
Can you please mail my package when you drive to town?
Cultural Background
The German postal system is iconic for its yellow branding. The verb 'aufgeben' reflects a time when sending items required a formal 'handing over' to official authorities. Today, Germany has one of the highest densities of automated parcel lockers (Packstations) in the world, yet the traditional terminology persists.
The Receipt Secret
Always ask for the 'Einlieferungsbeleg'. It is your proof that you 'aufgegeben' the package. Without it, if the package disappears, you're out of luck!
Don't Quit!
Remember that 'aufgeben' also means 'to give up' (like in sports). If you say 'Ich gebe auf' without the word 'Paket', people might think you are quitting your job or a race!
In 15 Seconds
- Used for mailing a physical parcel at a post office.
- Uses the separable verb 'aufgeben' (to dispatch/hand over).
- Essential for errands, returns, and sending gifts by mail.
What It Means
Imagine you have a box filled with gifts. You walk into a post office. You hand that box to the person behind the counter. That exact moment of handing it over is ein Paket aufgeben. While aufgeben often means 'to give up' or 'to quit' in other contexts, here it means to 'dispatch' or 'register' something for transport. You are essentially surrendering your package to the postal system so they can do their job. It is the standard, most natural way to describe the errand of mailing a parcel.
How To Use It
You will mostly use this phrase with modal verbs like müssen (must) or möchten (would like). For example, Ich muss ein Paket aufgeben is a classic sentence for your daily to-do list. Remember that aufgeben is a separable verb. This means in a simple sentence, the auf flies to the very end. You would say: Ich gebe das Paket heute auf. If you are using the past tense, it becomes aufgegeben. For example: Hast du das Paket schon aufgegeben? It sounds professional yet perfectly normal for everyday life.
When To Use It
Use this phrase whenever you are at a Postfiliale (post office branch), a Paketshop (a small kiosk that takes parcels), or even an automated Packstation. It is the perfect phrase for returning an online order that didn't fit. You can also use it when sending a care package to a friend abroad. If a colleague asks where you are going during your lunch break, you can simply say: Ich muss kurz ein Paket aufgeben. It is a very common errand in Germany.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this phrase for digital things. You cannot aufgeben an email or a text message. For those, use schicken or senden. Also, avoid using it for standard letters. For a small letter, you usually say einen Brief einwerfen (to drop a letter in) or einen Brief abschicken. Finally, don't use it if you are handing a gift to someone in person. That is just schenken or übergeben. Using aufgeben implies a third-party delivery service is involved.
Cultural Background
Germany has a very deep relationship with its postal service, primarily Deutsche Post and DHL. You will see bright yellow boxes and trucks everywhere. Sending and receiving packages is a national pastime, especially with the rise of online shopping. The term aufgeben actually comes from old postal traditions where you 'gave up' your items to the stagecoach or post rider. Today, the process is high-tech, but the old-fashioned verb remains. Germans also love their Quittung (receipt), so once you aufgeben your package, always wait for that little slip of paper!
Common Variations
You will often hear ein Päckchen aufgeben. A Päckchen is a smaller, lighter version of a Paket. It is usually cheaper but doesn't always have tracking. If you want to sound more formal or technical, you might hear eine Sendung aufgeben (to dispatch a shipment). In very casual speech, some people might just say ein Paket zur Post bringen (to bring a package to the post), but aufgeben is the more precise and idiomatic choice.
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral and widely used. The main 'gotcha' is the separable nature of the verb 'aufgeben' and its multiple meanings in other contexts.
The Receipt Secret
Always ask for the 'Einlieferungsbeleg'. It is your proof that you 'aufgegeben' the package. Without it, if the package disappears, you're out of luck!
Don't Quit!
Remember that 'aufgeben' also means 'to give up' (like in sports). If you say 'Ich gebe auf' without the word 'Paket', people might think you are quitting your job or a race!
Paket vs. Päckchen
In Germany, a 'Paket' is insured and has tracking. A 'Päckchen' is smaller and often has neither. Choose wisely at the counter!
Examples
6Guten Tag, ich möchte dieses Paket nach Frankreich aufgeben.
Hello, I would like to send this package to France.
A standard, polite way to start your interaction with the clerk.
Ich bin in 10 Minuten zurück, ich gebe nur kurz ein Paket auf.
I'll be back in 10 minutes, I'm just quickly dropping off a package.
Uses the present tense where the verb splits.
Kannst du bitte mein Paket aufgeben, wenn du zur Stadt fährst?
Can you please mail my package when you drive to town?
A common request between friends or family members.
Ich habe das Paket bereits gestern aufgegeben.
I already sent the package back yesterday.
Uses the perfect tense 'aufgegeben' for completed actions.
Endlich habe ich dieses schwere Paket aufgegeben, mein Rücken tut weh!
I finally sent that heavy package, my back hurts!
Relatable moment regarding the physical effort of shipping.
Es war mir wichtig, das Paket noch vor Weihnachten aufzugeben.
It was important to me to send the package before Christmas.
Expressing care through the act of mailing something.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'aufgeben' in the present tense.
Ich ___ heute mein Paket bei der Post ___.
In a simple present tense sentence, the separable prefix 'auf' goes to the end of the sentence.
Choose the correct past participle for the perfect tense.
Hast du das Paket schon ___?
The past participle of 'aufgeben' is 'aufgegeben'.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of Sending Things
Using 'wegbringen' (bring away)
Ich bringe das Paket weg.
Standard idiom 'aufgeben'
Ich gebe ein Paket auf.
Technical term 'einliefern' (to lodge/consign)
Die Sendung wurde eingeliefert.
Where to 'ein Paket aufgeben'
Post Office
At the main counter with a clerk.
Packstation
Using an automated yellow locker.
Kiosk / Späti
A local shop that acts as a parcel point.
Online Returns
Sending back clothes that don't fit.
Practice Bank
2 exercisesIch ___ heute mein Paket bei der Post ___.
In a simple present tense sentence, the separable prefix 'auf' goes to the end of the sentence.
Hast du das Paket schon ___?
The past participle of 'aufgeben' is 'aufgegeben'.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it is a very versatile verb. It can mean 'to give up' a hobby, 'to quit' a job, or even 'to place' an order or an advertisement (eine Anzeige aufgeben).
Yes, ein Paket schicken is also correct and very common. However, aufgeben specifically describes the act of handing it over at the service point.
Yes! The prefix auf- separates in the present and simple past. For example: Ich gebe das Paket auf.
A Paket is larger and usually includes insurance and tracking. A Päckchen is smaller (under 2kg) and is the 'budget' version without tracking.
Not really. For letters, we usually say einen Brief abschicken or einen Brief einwerfen (if putting it in a mailbox).
You use the perfect tense: Ich habe das Paket aufgegeben.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss, a clerk, or your best friend without sounding out of place.
Yes, even though there is no person there, the act of putting it in the locker and closing the door is still ein Paket aufgeben.
If you are at the airport, you also use Gepäck aufgeben to check in your bags. It's the same logic!
Forgetting the auf. If you just say Ich gebe ein Paket, it sounds like you are literally handing a box to someone as a gift, which is incomplete.
Related Phrases
ein Paket abholen
die Sendungsverfolgung
das Porto bezahlen
den Beleg aufbewahren
