postal

/po-stal/

postcard

A postal is a card sent by mail, often featuring a picture.

postal(noun)

fA1

postcard

a card sent by mail, often with a picture

Also:

picture postcard

emphasizing the visual aspect

📝 In Action

Compré una postal de la Torre Eiffel para enviársela a mi abuela.

I bought a postcard of the Eiffel Tower to send to my grandmother.

Perdimos la cuenta de cuántas postales recibimos de nuestros amigos en vacaciones.

We lost count of how many postcards we received from our friends on vacation.

Word Connections

Synonyms

tarjeta (card)
estampa (picture/print (less common))

Common Collocations

enviar una postal – to send a postcard
una postal turística – a tourist postcard

💡 Grammar Points

Gender Trap

Even though 'postal' ends in -al, which sometimes suggests a masculine word, it is feminine: 'La postal'. Memorize it with the article.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using the wrong gender

Mistake: "El postal"

Correction: La postal. Remember, the word is short for 'tarjeta postal' (postal card), and 'tarjeta' is feminine.

⭐ Usage Tips

Sending Mail

When talking about the act of sending mail, you usually use 'enviar una postal' (to send a postcard) or 'echar una postal al buzón' (to drop a postcard in the mailbox).

A bright red, official street mailbox standing outdoors, with a white envelope being dropped into the mail slot.

The adjective postal describes anything relating to the post office or mail.

postal(adjective)

m/fB1

postal

relating to the post office or mail

Also:

mail

used in compound nouns

📝 In Action

¿Cuál es tu código postal? Lo necesito para el envío.

What is your zip code/postal code? I need it for the shipment.

La oficina postal está cerrada los domingos.

The post office is closed on Sundays.

Word Connections

Synonyms

correo (mail/post)

Common Collocations

código postal – zip code / postal code
servicio postal – postal service

💡 Grammar Points

Adjective Placement

As an adjective, 'postal' usually follows the noun it describes, such as in 'código postal' (postal code) or 'oficina postal' (post office).

⭐ Usage Tips

Invariable Form

As an adjective, 'postal' does not change its ending for masculine or feminine nouns (e.g., 'el servicio postal', 'la oficina postal'). It only changes form to plural: 'servicios postales'.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: postal

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'postal' as a noun?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

correo(mail/post office) - noun

cartero(mail carrier / postman) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'postal' masculine or feminine?

It depends on how you use it! When it means 'postcard' (the item you mail), it is feminine: 'la postal'. When it is used as an adjective describing something related to mail (like 'código postal'), it simply modifies the noun and remains the same form.

How do I say 'post office' in Spanish?

You can say 'la oficina de correos' or 'la oficina postal'. Both are widely used and understood.