Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ufficio postale | /ufˈfi.t͡ʃo posˈta.le/ (word by word) | masculine |
| posta | /ˈpɔs.ta/ | feminine |
The term refers to the physical place where postal services are conducted. When you want to refer specifically to the national postal service provider in Italy, you should use the proper name Poste Italiane.
What does it mean word for word?
ufficio postale is composed of ufficio (office) and postale (postal).
Which one should you use?
While ufficio postale is the formal name for the building, Italians often use the shorter, colloquial posta in casual conversation to refer to the post office or the postal service itself.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some areas of Italy, the term Posta centrale is used to refer to the central post office.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of ufficio postale is uffici postali, where both the noun and the adjective take the plural ending.
How do you pronounce it?
/ufˈfi.tʃo posˈta.le/. The word has 5 syllables and the stress is on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- Many Italian post offices function as hybrid centers where you can perform banking tasks and pay utility bills alongside sending mail.
- In Italian, the word posta can also be used in gambling to refer to a 'bet' or 'stake' placed on a game.
- The word posta originally did not mean mail, but referred to a physical 'stopping place' or station where travelers could rest or change horses.
Examples in context
- L'ufficio postale è chiuso.The post office is closed.This sentence is useful for stating that the ufficio postale is closed.Tatoeba #11974412 by Guybrush88, translation #4080949 by CK
- Quando apre l'ufficio postale?When does the post office open?This sentence is useful for asking when the ufficio postale opens.Tatoeba #9536057 by Valdast, translation #4368142 by corbinjurgens
- Sono stato all'ufficio postale.I have been to the post office.This sentence is useful for saying you have been to the ufficio postale.Tatoeba #2356144 by Guybrush88, translation #262083 by CC
- Mi scusi, dov'è l'ufficio postale più vicino?Excuse me, where is the nearest post office?
- Prosegua dritto per circa 500 metri. L'ufficio postale si trova sulla sinistra.Continue straight for about 500 meters. The post office is on the left.
- 72 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Giulia and Francesco are walking in the city center.
- GiuliaFrancesco, sai dov'è l'ufficio postale?Francesco, do you know where the post office is?
- FrancescoSì, l'ufficio postale è vicino alla banca.Yes, the post office is near the bank.
- GiuliaGrazie, devo spedire un pacco.Thanks, I need to send a package.
- FrancescoAndiamo subito, allora.Let's go right away, then.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “post office” translations and entries ufficio postale, posta, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (ufficio, postale) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries posta, postale, ufficio, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
