Everyday English · Post Office, Mail & Parcels
Post Office, Mail & Parcels: 18 Everyday English Words
Build broad recognition of words used for letters, parcels, postage, counters, tracking, delivery notices and ordinary mailing tasks.
What to do
Picture one connected scene: write an address, put a stamp on an envelope, take a parcel to the counter, get a receipt and tracking number, then watch for delivery.
This is a breadth lesson. The goal is quick recognition across a real-life mailing scene, not perfect same-day memorization.
Core everyday words
post office
noun · POST OFF-isa place where mail and parcels are sent and handled
Example: We stopped at the post office after school.
letters and parcels sent through a postal service
Example: The mail arrived this afternoon.
letter
noun · LET-era written message sent to someone
Example: She put the letter in an envelope.
envelope
noun · EN-vuh-lohpa paper cover for a letter
Example: Write the address on the envelope.
stamp
noun · STAMPa small label showing postage has been paid
Example: Put a stamp in the top corner.
address
noun · AD-resthe location where mail should go
Example: Check the address before sending it.
return address
noun · ri-TURN AD-resthe sender's address written on the mail
Example: Add your return address in the corner.
mailbox
noun · MAYL-boksa box where mail is left or collected
Example: The letter is in the mailbox.
parcel
noun · PAR-suhlan item wrapped or boxed for delivery
Example: The parcel arrived on Friday.
package
noun · PAK-ija wrapped or boxed item for delivery
Example: This package is for our neighbour.
label
noun · LAY-buhla piece of paper or sticker with delivery information
Example: The label shows the destination.
counter
noun · KOWN-terthe service desk where customers are helped
Example: Take the parcel to the counter.
clerk
noun · KLERKa worker who helps customers at a counter
Example: The clerk weighed the parcel.
receipt
noun · ri-SEETa record showing what you paid for
Example: Keep the receipt until delivery.
tracking number
noun · TRAK-ing NUM-bera code used to follow a parcel's progress
Example: Enter the tracking number online.
delivery
noun · di-LIV-er-eethe act of bringing mail or a parcel to its destination
Example: Delivery is expected tomorrow.
sender
noun · SEN-derthe person who sends mail
Example: The sender wrote a return address.
recipient
noun · ri-SIP-ee-entthe person who receives mail
Example: The recipient signed for the parcel.
Quick Check
Quick Check
A light check across the post-office scene.
1. What do you put on an envelope to show postage has been paid?
- stamp
- receipt
- key
- label
2. Who receives a letter or parcel?
- recipient
- sender
- clerk
- carrier
3. What code can you enter to follow a parcel's progress?
- tracking number
- postal code
- return address
- signature
4. Where do customers usually hand a parcel to a postal worker?
- counter
- mailbox
- route
- compartment
In the Scene
In the Scene
Use a few words in ordinary mailing situations.
5. You paid to send a parcel. What should you keep as a record?
- receipt
- envelope
- mail slot
- sender
6. Which address helps a letter come back if it cannot be delivered?
- return address
- destination
- tracking number
- label
7. Which word means bringing mail to its destination?
- delivery
- letter
- stamp
- package
8. What is a boxed item sent through the mail commonly called?
- parcel
- address
- receipt
- counter
Quick-check answers
- 1. stamp
A stamp shows postage has been paid. - 2. recipient
The recipient is the person who receives it. - 3. tracking number
A tracking number identifies the shipment in the tracking system. - 4. counter
The service counter is where a clerk helps customers. - 5. receipt
A receipt records the transaction. - 6. return address
The return address identifies the sender's location. - 7. delivery
Delivery is the act of bringing the item to its destination. - 8. parcel
A parcel is an item wrapped or boxed for delivery.