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A1 noun #8,500 most common 9 min read

postal

Top 8,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips postal in 30 Seconds

Explanation postal in your Level:

In level A1, you learn the most basic and common words. 'Postal' is one of them because it is very useful when you travel. A 'postal' is a postcard. It is a piece of paper with a picture on one side. You buy it when you are on vacation. You write a small message like 'Hello from Portugal!' on the back. Then you put a stamp (selo) on it and put it in a red mailbox. In Portuguese, we say 'O postal' because it is masculine. If you have more than one, you say 'Os postais'. It is a simple way to tell your friends and family that you are having a good time. You will see many postais in shops in Lisbon or Porto. They usually have photos of the sea, old buildings, or food. Remember: 'Eu escrevo um postal' (I write a postcard).

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'postal' in more varied sentences, often in the past tense to describe your travels. For example, 'Ontem, comprei três postais para os meus amigos' (Yesterday, I bought three postcards for my friends). You also learn that 'postal' can be part of the phrase 'código postal', which means zip code or postal code. This is very important when you are giving your address or filling out forms. You might hear someone ask, 'Qual é o código postal da sua rua?'. Even though 'postal' here is an adjective, the form is the same. You also start to recognize that 'postal' is a shorter, more common way of saying 'cartão-postal'. In Portugal, people almost always just say 'postal'. It's a friendly, informal word for a physical object that carries memories.

As a B1 learner, you can discuss the cultural importance of the 'postal'. You might talk about the nostalgia of receiving a physical card in the mail compared to a digital message. 'Receber um postal é mais especial do que receber um email' (Receiving a postcard is more special than receiving an email). You also learn more complex verbs to use with it, such as 'colecionar' (to collect) or 'personalizar' (to personalize). You might describe a beautiful view using the word: 'Esta aldeia é tão bonita que parece um postal' (This village is so beautiful it looks like a postcard). This level involves understanding the 'postal' not just as an object for sale, but as a medium of personal expression and a tradition that persists despite technology. You should be comfortable using the plural 'postais' and matching it with adjectives, like 'postais antigos' (old postcards).

At the B2 level, you understand the nuances of 'postal' in different contexts, including its use in compound terms and more formal settings. You might encounter the term 'bilhete-postal' in a museum or a history book. You can discuss the logistics of the 'serviço postal' (postal service) and use 'postal' as an adjective more fluently. For instance, 'A reforma postal foi necessária para melhorar a eficiência das entregas' (The postal reform was necessary to improve delivery efficiency). You also understand the metaphorical use of the word in journalism or literature to describe iconic locations—the 'postais da cidade' refers to the most famous landmarks that define a city's visual identity. Your vocabulary expands to include related terms like 'franquia postal' (postage/postal rate) and 'remetente' (sender) or 'destinatário' (recipient) of the postal.

In C1, your use of 'postal' becomes sophisticated. You can analyze the 'postal' as a cultural artifact that reflects the history of tourism and photography. You might discuss how the 'postal ilustrado' helped shape the global image of Portugal during the 20th century. You are aware of the subtle differences between European Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese usage, noting that while a Portuguese person says 'Vou escrever um postal', a Brazilian would more likely say 'Vou escrever um cartão-postal'. You can use the word in idiomatic or highly descriptive ways, such as 'A sua vida parece um postal de perfeição' (His/Her life seems like a postcard of perfection), often with a hint of irony. You also handle technical terms related to philately (the study of stamps and postal history) where 'postal' appears frequently in various classifications of mail.

At the C2 level, you have complete mastery over the word 'postal' and its various functions. You can engage in deep discussions about the evolution of communication and the semiotics of the 'postal'. You might write an essay on how the 'postal' functions as a 'lugar de memória' (place of memory) or how it represents a specific 'estética' (aesthetic) in Portuguese art. You understand archaic uses and can navigate legal or administrative documents where 'postal' might appear in terms like 'citação postal' (postal summons). Your command of the language allows you to play with the word's double nature as a noun and adjective, using it with poetic precision. You are also familiar with famous Portuguese poems or songs that might mention the 'postal' as a symbol of distance, longing (saudade), and the passage of time.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

postal in 30 Seconds

A 'postal' is a postcard, a common souvenir and communication tool used by travelers to send messages and images.
The word is a masculine noun; in Portugal, it is the standard shorthand for the more formal 'cartão-postal'.
It requires a stamp (selo) to be mailed and is characterized by its rectangular shape and lack of an envelope.
Metaphorically, it describes something picturesque or visually perfect, as in 'uma vista de postal'.

The word postal in Portuguese primarily functions as a noun referring to a postcard. At its simplest, it is a rectangular piece of thick paper or thin cardboard intended for writing and mailing without an envelope. Typically, one side features a decorative image—often a photograph of a landmark, a beautiful landscape, or a piece of art—while the other side provides space for a short message, the recipient's address, and a postage stamp. While the full term is cartão-postal, in everyday European Portuguese, it is extremely common to shorten it simply to postal.

O Objeto Físico: Refers to the physical card itself, purchased at a kiosk or souvenir shop. It represents a tangible connection between the traveler and the recipient.
O Ato de Enviar: The social ritual of sending a 'postal' implies that you are thinking of someone while being in a different geographical location.

Historically, the postal was the primary way for travelers to share their experiences visually before the advent of digital photography and social media. In Portugal, the tradition remains vibrant, especially in tourist hubs like Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve. When you enter a 'papelaria' (stationery shop) or a 'loja de recordações' (souvenir shop), you will see racks filled with these cards. Using the word postal suggests a certain nostalgia and a personal touch that an email or a text message lacks. It is a slow form of communication, subject to the pace of the 'correios' (postal service).

Comprei um postal da Torre de Belém para a minha avó.

Beyond the physical card, postal can also be an adjective (relating to the mail service), but as a noun, it is synonymous with travel and memory. It is used when you want to describe a scene that is so beautiful it looks like it belongs on a card: 'Esta vista é de postal!' (This view is like a postcard!). This metaphorical usage highlights the idealized, picturesque nature of the image. In a professional context, you might hear about 'serviços postais', but in a casual conversation about your holiday, you are almost certainly talking about the card you just wrote.

Contexto de Viagem: Used when buying souvenirs: 'Queria três postais e três selos, por favor.'

Recebi um postal do Japão ontem.

Using the word postal in a sentence requires an understanding of common verb collocations. Since it is a physical object, you typically 'buy' (comprar), 'write' (escrever), 'send' (enviar/mandar), or 'receive' (receber) a postal. Because it is a masculine noun, it is preceded by the articles 'o' (the) or 'um' (a). For example, 'O postal chegou' (The postcard arrived).

Verbos Comuns: Escrever (to write), Enviar (to send), Mandar (to send/informal), Comprar (to buy), Receber (to receive), Guardar (to keep/save).

When describing the content of the postal, you use the preposition 'de' to indicate the subject or the origin. 'Um postal de Lisboa' means a postcard from Lisbon or featuring Lisbon. If you are talking about the person it is intended for, you use 'para' (for): 'Um postal para a minha mãe'. It is also common to use the plural 'postais' when referring to a collection or a bulk purchase. 'Vou enviar vários postais este Natal' (I am going to send several postcards this Christmas).

Não te esqueças de pôr o selo no postal.

In more complex sentences, postal can be the subject of a passive construction or part of a prepositional phrase describing a scene. For example, 'A paisagem era tão bonita que parecia um postal' (The landscape was so beautiful it looked like a postcard). Here, it functions as a comparative tool to emphasize perfection. In a grammatical sense, remember that 'postal' ends in 'l', so its plural is formed by dropping the 'l' and adding 'is': postais.

Ela guarda todos os postais que recebe numa caixa de sapatos.

Expressões Úteis: 'Postal ilustrado' (illustrated postcard) is a more formal or descriptive way to refer to the object, though 'postal' alone usually implies the illustration.

O postal demorou duas semanas a chegar da Austrália.

You are most likely to encounter the word postal in environments related to travel, tourism, and the postal service. If you are walking through the Chiado district in Lisbon or the Ribeira in Porto, you will hear tourists asking 'Onde posso comprar um postal?' (Where can I buy a postcard?). Shopkeepers will often have signs that say 'Postais e Selos' (Postcards and Stamps) outside their establishments. This is the most practical and frequent real-world application of the word.

In a domestic setting, you might hear a family member say, 'Recebemos um postal dos teus tios que estão de férias na Madeira' (We received a postcard from your aunt and uncle who are on holiday in Madeira). It is a word associated with good news, vacations, and affection. Unlike 'contas' (bills) or 'propaganda' (junk mail), a postal is something people look forward to finding in their 'caixa do correio' (mailbox). It evokes a sense of shared experience across distances.

Nos Correios (At the Post Office): When you go to the CTT (the Portuguese national postal service), you might ask: 'Quanto custa o selo para este postal?' (How much is the stamp for this postcard?).

Furthermore, the word appears in the context of the 'Código Postal' (Postal Code/Zip Code). While here it is technically an adjective, it is so ubiquitous that the word 'postal' is heard daily in bureaucratic or logistical conversations. When filling out a form, someone might ask, 'Qual é o seu código postal?'. This reinforces the word's presence in the linguistic landscape, even if the primary noun meaning is about the decorative card. You will also hear it in media when a reporter describes a scenic view as having a 'beleza de postal' (postcard beauty), indicating that the scene is perfect and iconic.

Vou passar na papelaria para ver se têm postais de Natal.

Este lugar parece um postal ilustrado!

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with postal is confusing it with the word for 'stamp' (selo) or 'letter' (carta). While they are all related to the mail, they are not interchangeable. A postal is specifically the card with a picture. If you tell a clerk you want to buy a 'postal' when you actually need a 'selo', they will point you to the card rack instead of giving you the postage sticker. Always remember: you put a selo on a postal to send it via the correio.

Postal vs. Carta: A 'carta' is a letter, usually written on multiple pages and placed inside an envelope. A 'postal' is a single card without an envelope.
Postal vs. Selo: A 'selo' is the postage stamp. You cannot mail a 'postal' without a 'selo'.

Another common error involves gender. Beginners might assume it is feminine because 'postcard' in some other Romance languages can be feminine (like 'la carte postale' in French). However, in Portuguese, postal (as a shorthand for cartão-postal) is masculine. Saying 'a postal' is a clear marker of a non-native speaker. It should always be 'o postal' or 'um postal'. Furthermore, students often forget the plural rule for words ending in '-al'. You do not say 'postals'; the correct form is postais.

Errado: Eu escrevi uma postal.
Correto: Eu escrevi um postal.

Finally, there is the risk of using postal as a verb, influenced by the English 'to post'. In Portuguese, 'to post' (as in mailing a letter) is 'enviar pelo correio' or 'mandar'. In a digital context (social media), the verb is 'publicar' or the neologism 'postar'. Using 'eu vou postal isto' is grammatically incorrect. You must say 'eu vou enviar este postal' (I am going to send this postcard) or 'eu vou postar esta foto' (I am going to post this photo online).

Não confundas postal (postcard) com pessoal (personal/staff).

While postal is the most common term for a postcard in Portugal, there are several related words and synonyms that can be used depending on the context and the specific region. Understanding these alternatives will help you sound more natural and precise.

Cartão-postal: This is the full, formal name for a postcard. It is used in both Portugal and Brazil, though Brazil uses it almost exclusively over the shortened 'postal'. In formal writing or on product packaging, you will see this compound noun.
Postal ilustrado: Specifically refers to a postcard with an illustration or photograph. This distinguishes it from plain postal cards used for administrative purposes.
Bilhete-postal: A slightly more old-fashioned or official term. You might see this in historical documents or on the back of older cards where the pre-printed text says 'Bilhete Postal'.

If you are talking about communication in general, you might use 'correspondência' (correspondence) or 'correio' (mail). However, these are broad terms. If the card is specifically for a holiday greeting, you might call it a 'postal de boas festas' or 'postal de felicitações'. In the context of the visual beauty of a place, instead of saying it 'looks like a postal', you could say it is 'pitoresco' (picturesque) or has a 'vista deslumbrante' (stunning view).

O cartão-postal é um símbolo clássico do turismo.

Comparatively, a 'carta' is much more private and lengthy. A 'postal' is inherently semi-public, as anyone handling it can read the message. This public nature is part of its charm. When choosing between 'postal' and 'cartão-postal', remember the audience: use 'postal' for casual conversation in Portugal, and 'cartão-postal' for formal contexts or when speaking with Brazilians. In terms of digital equivalents, we now have 'e-cards', which in Portuguese are often called 'postais eletrónicos'.

Ela enviou um bilhete-postal com uma mensagem curta.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"Solicitamos o envio do código postal correto."

Neutral

"Vou enviar um postal aos meus pais."

Informal

"Olha este postal, que giro!"

Child friendly

"Vamos fazer um postal para o Pai Natal?"

Slang

"Aquela gaja é mesmo um postal!"

Fun Fact

The first official postcard was issued in Austria in 1869, but the word 'postal' as we use it today in Portuguese became popular only in the late 19th century as tourism grew.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /puʃ.ˈtal/

US /pos.ˈtau̯/

The stress is on the last syllable: pos-TAL.

Rhymes With

animal final canal jornal local metal normal total

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'o' too open in Portugal (should be 'push-tal').
Pronouncing the final 'l' as a clear English 'l' instead of a dark 'l' or 'w' sound.
Stress on the first syllable (POS-tal) like in English.
In Portugal, not making the 'sh' sound for the 's'.
Treating it as a three-syllable word.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Very easy to recognize due to its similarity to English 'postal'.

Writing 2/5

Need to remember the plural 'postais' and the masculine gender.

Speaking 2/5

The 'sh' sound in Portugal and the stress on the last syllable require practice.

Listening 1/5

Clearly audible in travel-related contexts.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

carta escrever comprar bonito viagem

Learn Next

selo correios morada remetente destinatário

Advanced

filatelia franquia extravio manuscrito iconografia

Grammar to Know

Plural of words ending in -al

postal -> postais, canal -> canais, animal -> animais.

Masculine gender for objects ending in -al

O postal, o jornal, o avental.

Contractions with 'de'

Um postal de + Lisboa = Um postal de Lisboa; Um postal de + o Porto = Um postal do Porto.

Position of adjectives

Um postal *bonito* (adjective usually follows the noun).

Indirect objects with 'para'

Escrevo um postal *para* ti.

Examples by Level

Eu compro um postal.

I buy a postcard.

Simple subject-verb-object structure.

O postal é bonito.

The postcard is beautiful.

Using the definite article 'o' for a masculine noun.

Escrevo um postal para a mãe.

I write a postcard for my mother.

The preposition 'para' indicates the recipient.

Onde está o meu postal?

Where is my postcard?

Interrogative sentence with a possessive pronoun.

Um postal de Lisboa, por favor.

A postcard from Lisbon, please.

Common request in a store.

O postal tem um selo.

The postcard has a stamp.

Linking two related postal objects.

Gosto deste postal.

I like this postcard.

Contraction of 'de' + 'este' = 'deste'.

Eles mandam um postal.

They send a postcard.

Third-person plural verb form.

Comprei muitos postais nas férias.

I bought many postcards on vacation.

Plural form 'postais' and past tense 'comprei'.

Não recebi o teu postal ainda.

I haven't received your postcard yet.

Negative sentence in the past tense.

Qual é o seu código postal?

What is your zip code?

Using 'postal' as an adjective in a common phrase.

Ela enviou um postal do Algarve.

She sent a postcard from the Algarve.

Preposition 'do' (de + o) showing origin.

Podes escrever o postal por mim?

Can you write the postcard for me?

Using the modal verb 'poder'.

Vimos postais muito baratos na loja.

We saw very cheap postcards in the shop.

Adjective agreement with plural noun.

O postal chegou com atraso.

The postcard arrived late.

Prepositional phrase 'com atraso'.

Quero um postal com a foto do Porto.

I want a postcard with the photo of Porto.

Using 'com' to describe the content.

Coleciono postais de todos os países que visito.

I collect postcards from all the countries I visit.

Present tense reflecting a habit.

Esta paisagem parece mesmo um postal.

This landscape really looks like a postcard.

Metaphorical use of 'postal'.

Escrevi um postal longo, mas o espaço era pouco.

I wrote a long postcard, but the space was limited.

Contrast using 'mas'.

Receber um postal é uma surpresa agradável.

Receiving a postcard is a pleasant surprise.

Gerund-like use of the infinitive 'receber'.

O postal ficou molhado por causa da chuva.

The postcard got wet because of the rain.

Passive state with 'ficou'.

Vou guardar este postal como recordação.

I will keep this postcard as a souvenir.

Future intent with 'vou' + infinitive.

Antigamente, as pessoas mandavam mais postais.

In the past, people used to send more postcards.

Imperfect tense 'mandavam' for habitual past actions.

O verso do postal estava em branco.

The back of the postcard was blank.

Noun 'verso' (back/reverse side).

A imagem no postal capta a essência da cidade.

The image on the postcard captures the essence of the city.

Abstract noun 'essência'.

Os postais ilustrados tornaram-se populares no século XIX.

Illustrated postcards became popular in the 19th century.

Reflexive verb 'tornar-se' in the past.

Apesar da tecnologia, o postal continua a ser enviado.

Despite technology, the postcard continues to be sent.

Concessive phrase 'Apesar de'.

Ele enviou um postal de agradecimento após a visita.

He sent a thank-you postcard after the visit.

Compound noun-like structure 'postal de agradecimento'.

A taxa postal aumentou significativamente este ano.

The postal rate increased significantly this year.

Adjective use of 'postal' in a formal context.

O postal foi extraviado durante o transporte.

The postcard was lost/misplaced during transport.

Passive voice with 'foi extraviado'.

Escolhi um postal com um design minimalista.

I chose a postcard with a minimalist design.

Descriptive adjective 'minimalista'.

A coleção de postais dele vale muito dinheiro.

His postcard collection is worth a lot of money.

Verb 'valer' meaning to be worth.

O postal serve como um testemunho visual de uma época.

The postcard serves as a visual testimony of an era.

Formal verb 'servir como'.

A estética do postal reflete as tendências artísticas do momento.

The aesthetic of the postcard reflects the artistic trends of the moment.

Subject-verb agreement with abstract concepts.

Muitos artistas utilizam o suporte do postal para as suas obras.

Many artists use the postcard medium for their works.

Using 'suporte' to mean medium/base.

O envio de um postal é um ato de resistência à efemeridade digital.

Sending a postcard is an act of resistance to digital ephemerality.

Complex noun phrase with 'efemeridade'.

A cidade é vendida através de postais estereotipados.

The city is sold through stereotyped postcards.

Critical tone using 'estereotipados'.

Não se pode ignorar o valor histórico do bilhete-postal.

One cannot ignore the historical value of the postcard.

Impersonal 'se' construction.

O postal que recebi continha uma mensagem enigmática.

The postcard I received contained an enigmatic message.

Relative clause with 'que'.

A iconografia dos postais turísticos evoluiu pouco nas últimas décadas.

The iconography of tourist postcards has evolved little in recent decades.

Technical term 'iconografia'.

O postal transcende a sua função utilitária para se tornar um objeto de culto.

The postcard transcends its utilitarian function to become a cult object.

High-level vocabulary like 'transcende' and 'utilitária'.

A análise semiótica do postal revela camadas de significado cultural.

The semiotic analysis of the postcard reveals layers of cultural meaning.

Academic terminology.

Subsiste ainda uma certa nostalgia romântica associada ao postal manuscrito.

A certain romantic nostalgia associated with the handwritten postcard still subsists.

Inverted subject-verb order for emphasis.

O postal é, por definição, uma mensagem exposta ao olhar alheio.

The postcard is, by definition, a message exposed to the gaze of others.

Philosophical observation using 'por definição'.

A proliferação de postais digitais não logrou extinguir o formato físico.

The proliferation of digital postcards did not succeed in extinguishing the physical format.

Literary verb 'lograr'.

O colecionismo de postais, ou cartofilia, exige um conhecimento profundo da história postal.

Postcard collecting, or deltiology, requires a deep knowledge of postal history.

Use of technical term 'cartofilia'.

O postal funciona como um fragmento de espaço-tempo transportável.

The postcard functions as a transportable fragment of space-time.

Metaphorical and abstract conceptualization.

A brevidade imposta pelo espaço do postal aguça a precisão da escrita.

The brevity imposed by the postcard's space sharpens the precision of writing.

Use of 'aguçar' (to sharpen/hone).

Common Collocations

escrever um postal

enviar um postal

código postal

coleção de postais

postal de Natal

serviço postal

caixa postal

taxa postal

postal antigo

vista de postal

Common Phrases

Mandar um postal

— The act of sending a postcard to someone.

Vou mandar um postal quando chegar a Paris.

Receber um postal

— To get a postcard in the mail.

É sempre bom receber um postal de um amigo.

Postal ilustrado

— A postcard with a picture, the most common type.

Comprei um postal ilustrado do Mosteiro dos Jerónimos.

Código postal

— The sequence of numbers used to identify a location for mail delivery.

Escreve o código postal no envelope.

Postal de boas-vindas

— A welcome postcard, often from a hotel or city.

O hotel enviou um postal de boas-vindas ao quarto.

Apartado postal

— A P.O. Box (Post Office Box).

Envie a sua resposta para o apartado postal 123.

Franquia postal

— The cost or system of paying for postage.

A franquia postal está incluída no preço.

Distrito postal

— A specific area covered by a certain post office.

Este bairro pertence a outro distrito postal.

Postal de aniversário

— A birthday card in postcard format.

Obrigado pelo postal de aniversário!

Vale postal

— A money order sent through the mail.

Recebi um vale postal da minha tia.

Often Confused With

postal vs selo

A stamp is what you stick on the postal; the postal is the card itself.

postal vs carta

A letter is in an envelope; a postal is an open card.

postal vs pessoal

Means 'personal' or 'staff'. It sounds very similar but has a different meaning.

Idioms & Expressions

"Parecer um postal"

— To be extremely beautiful and picturesque, like a perfect image.

Esta vila na Suíça parece um postal.

informal

"Beleza de postal"

— A stereotypical or perfect beauty often associated with tourism.

Ela tem uma beleza de postal, mas falta-lhe alma.

informal

"Cenário de postal"

— A setting that is visually stunning and looks artificial or too perfect.

O casamento teve um cenário de postal junto ao mar.

neutral

"Vida de postal"

— A life that looks perfect from the outside but might be superficial.

Nas redes sociais, todos têm uma vida de postal.

informal

"Ficar para o postal"

— To stay for the photo/memory (humorous/rare).

Fica aí parado, vais ficar para o postal!

slang

"Postal de visita"

— Sometimes used instead of 'cartão de visita' to mean a representative image.

Este monumento é o postal de visita da nossa cidade.

neutral

"Cara de postal"

— A very photogenic face.

Aquele modelo tem mesmo uma cara de postal.

informal

"Ar de postal"

— A look or vibe that is very traditional and picturesque.

A aldeia mantém o seu ar de postal antigo.

neutral

"Postais da memória"

— Metaphorical 'snapshots' of past events.

Guardo estes postais da memória com muito carinho.

literary

"Erro de postal"

— A very obvious or 'textbook' mistake (rare/specific context).

Isso foi um erro de postal, devias saber melhor.

informal

Easily Confused

postal vs Poste

Similar spelling.

A 'poste' is a physical post or pole (like a street light pole), while 'postal' is a card.

O carro bateu num poste de luz.

postal vs Porta

Similar start.

A 'porta' is a door. 'Postal' is a card.

Abra a porta, por favor.

postal vs Portal

Very similar spelling.

A 'portal' is a grand entrance or a web portal. A 'postal' is a postcard.

O portal da igreja é antigo.

postal vs Pastel

Vowel difference.

A 'pastel' is a pastry or a crayon/color. A 'postal' is a card.

Comi um pastel de nata delicioso.

postal vs Pasto

Similar sound.

A 'pasto' is a pasture for animals. 'Postal' is for mailing.

As vacas estão no pasto.

Sentence Patterns

Eu [verb] um postal.

Eu compro um postal.

O postal é para [person].

O postal é para o meu irmão.

Este lugar parece um [noun].

Este lugar parece um postal.

Apesar de [verb], enviamos o postal.

Apesar de estarmos cansados, enviamos o postal.

O postal funciona como [noun phrase].

O postal funciona como um registo histórico.

Não obstante [noun], o postal subsiste.

Não obstante a era digital, o postal subsiste.

Onde está o [noun]?

Onde está o postal?

Ontem, [verb past] um postal.

Ontem, recebi um postal.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Common in travel and holiday contexts.

Common Mistakes

A postal → O postal
The word is masculine, even though it ends in 'al'.
Eu vou postal esta foto. → Eu vou postar esta foto.
'Postal' is a noun/adjective, not a verb. Use 'postar' for social media.
Os postals → Os postais
The plural of words ending in -al is -ais.
Comprei um selo para escrever. → Comprei um postal para escrever.
A 'selo' is a stamp; you write on a 'postal'.
O meu postal código é... → O meu código postal é...
In the phrase 'código postal', 'postal' is an adjective and follows the noun 'código'.

Tips

Plural Rule

Always remember the '-al' to '-ais' transition. It's a very common pattern in Portuguese for nouns and adjectives alike.

Selo vs. Postal

Don't forget to buy a 'selo' (stamp) when you buy your 'postal'. Shops often sell them together for tourists.

Red Mailboxes

In Portugal, look for the bright red 'CTT' mailboxes to send your postals. Blue ones are for 'Correio Azul' (priority mail).

The 'S' sound

In Lisbon, the 's' in 'postal' is a soft 'sh' sound because it comes before a 't'. Practice saying 'push-tal'.

Addressing

When writing the address on a postal, put the recipient's name first, then the street, then the 'código postal' and city, and finally the country.

Metaphorical Use

If you see a very beautiful person or place, you can say 'Parece um postal!' to express your admiration.

CEP vs Código Postal

If you are in Brazil, use 'CEP'. if you are in Portugal, use 'Código Postal'. Both refer to the same concept.

Vintage Postals

Flea markets (like Feira da Ladra in Lisbon) are great places to find 'postais antigos' which are beautiful collectibles.

Sending Love

Sending a physical postal is considered very thoughtful in Portuguese culture, especially for birthdays or from trips.

Cognates

Use the English word 'postal' as a hook, but shift the meaning from 'mail service' to 'the card itself'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a POSTAL worker delivering a POSTcard. The word is almost identical to 'postal' in English, just remember the stress is at the end: pos-TAL!

Visual Association

Imagine a bright red Portuguese mailbox (marco de correio) with a postcard featuring the Belem Tower sticking out of it.

Word Web

Selo Correio Viagem Turismo Mensagem Foto Lembrança Endereço

Challenge

Try to find a Portuguese 'postal' online and write a 3-sentence message on it using only A1 Portuguese.

Word Origin

Derived from the French word 'postal', which comes from 'poste' (mail/post). This in turn originates from the Latin 'positus', meaning 'placed' or 'positioned', referring to the fixed stations along a delivery route.

Original meaning: Relating to the stations (posts) where mail was exchanged.

Romance (Latin root).

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, though sending postals is becoming less common among younger generations.

English speakers often use the word 'postal' only as an adjective (postal service) or in the idiom 'going postal'. In Portuguese, it is a friendly noun for a postcard.

The CTT Museum in Lisbon has a massive collection of historical postals. Portuguese fado songs sometimes mention the arrival of a letter or postal as a sign of longing. The film 'Lisbon Story' by Wim Wenders captures the 'postcard' beauty of the city.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Tourism

Onde há postais?
Quanto custa este postal?
Tem postais da cidade?
Quero este postal ilustrado.

Post Office

Quero um selo para um postal.
É para enviar para Inglaterra.
Quanto tempo demora o postal?
Onde é a caixa do correio?

Holidays/Christmas

Vou escrever os postais de Natal.
Recebeste o meu postal?
O postal de boas-festas chegou.
Manda um postal das tuas férias!

Address/Logistics

Qual é o código postal?
Escreva o código postal aqui.
A morada precisa do postal.
O distrito postal é o de Lisboa.

Photography/Art

Esta foto parece um postal.
É uma vista de postal.
O enquadramento é de postal.
As cores do postal são vivas.

Conversation Starters

"Costumas enviar postais quando vais de férias ou preferes mandar fotos pelo telemóvel?"

"Qual foi o postal mais bonito que já recebeste de um amigo?"

"Ainda guardas os postais que as pessoas te enviam ou deitas fora?"

"Achas que o código postal em Portugal é fácil de decorar ou é confuso?"

"Se fosses criar um postal da tua cidade, que imagem escolherias para a frente?"

Journal Prompts

Escreve sobre uma memória de quando recebeste um postal inesperado de alguém especial.

Descreve a paisagem mais bonita que já viste e explica por que razão daria um bom postal.

Imagina que és um postal a viajar pelo mundo. Por que países passarias e quem seria o teu dono?

Reflete sobre a diferença entre enviar um postal físico e uma mensagem digital rápida.

Faz uma lista de cinco pessoas a quem gostarias de enviar um postal hoje e o que escreverias.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, but Brazilians almost always use the full term 'cartão-postal'. Using just 'postal' as a noun is much more common in Portugal. In Brazil, 'postal' is mostly used as an adjective, like in 'serviço postal'.

You say 'código postal'. In Portugal, it consists of four digits, a hyphen, and three more digits (e.g., 1000-001). In Brazil, it is called 'CEP' (Código de Endereçamento Postal).

The plural is 'postais'. This follows the Portuguese grammar rule where words ending in '-al' change to '-ais' in the plural form.

No. The post office is 'os correios' or 'a estação de correios'. 'Postal' only refers to the card or the adjective 'postal'.

Normally, no. The whole point of a 'postal' is that it is sent without an envelope. However, if you want to keep the picture clean or send something extra, you can put it in an envelope, but then it's often just called a 'cartão'.

It is masculine: 'o postal'. This is because it is a shortened version of the masculine compound noun 'o cartão-postal'.

Common verbs include: comprar (buy), escrever (write), enviar/mandar (send), receber (receive), colecionar (collect), and selar (to put a stamp on).

Yes, you can call it a 'postal eletrónico' or 'e-postal'. They were very popular in the early 2000s.

You use the verb 'postar' (especially in Brazil) or 'publicar'. Don't use the noun 'postal' as a verb.

It is simply a postcard that has an illustration or a photograph on the front, which is the standard postcard we all know.