Words for your next conversation
Russian for sending and collecting parcels
By Nico Jaroszewski · Updated
At a post office, the right verb matters: are you sending a parcel, collecting one or asking where it has gone? Start by stating that purpose, then supply the details needed for the task.
Reading time: about 5 min.
- Words and phrases
- 10
- Reading support
- Stress marks and transliteration
- Practice
- Examples and short dialogues
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At a post office, the right verb matters: are you sending a parcel, collecting one or asking where it has gone? Start by stating that purpose, then supply the details needed for the task. This lesson covers the language of addresses, packaging, delivery estimates and tracking. It helps you ask clear questions at the counter without assuming that one country's postal rules or identity requirements apply everywhere Russian is spoken.
State the task before handing over documents
Я хочу́ отпра́вить посы́лку means you want to send a parcel. Мне ну́жно получи́ть посы́лку means you need to collect one. That distinction tells the staff member which details to request. An извеще́ние is a collection notice, while a квита́нция is a receipt. Practise identifying the two with neutral sample documents. Use fictional addresses in study material rather than copying a real recipient's name and home address into a shared flashcard set.
Ask about packaging and the address
Почто́вый и́ндекс is the postcode; получа́тель is the recipient and отправи́тель the sender. Check which field you are filling in before writing the information. If you need a box, ask Мо́жно купи́ть коро́бку? Then ask whether the packaging is suitable for what you are sending. The language example cannot establish the service's rules about contents, so describe the item accurately and follow the actual instructions supplied at the counter.
Separate price, timing and tracking
Ско́лько сто́ит доста́вка? asks about cost. Ско́лько вре́мени идёт посы́лка? asks how long the parcel takes. A delivery estimate is not necessarily a guaranteed arrival date, so clarify what the answer means if timing matters. Номер для отсле́живания refers to the tracking number. Ask where to find it on the receipt, then keep the receipt. Practise these as three distinct questions rather than one long sentence that may receive only a partial reply.
Explain a missing update with concrete facts
If tracking has not changed, say Отсле́живание не обновля́ется and show the status you mean. State the sending date and destination instead of guessing that a parcel is lost. A useful role play has one person at the counter and another with a receipt asking for the next step. Swap roles so you also practise recognising a request for a number or date. Keep real tracking numbers private when turning the conversation into learning material.
Words and phrases to try
An accent marks the stressed vowel. Transliteration is a reading aid; ё carries its own stress.
| Russian | Transliteration | Meaning | In a sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| посы́лка | posýlka | parcel | Я хочу́ отпра́вить посы́лку. I want to send a parcel. |
| получа́тель | poluchátel | recipient | Где указа́ть получа́теля? Where should I enter the recipient? |
| отправи́тель | otpravítel | sender | Здесь ну́жен а́дрес отправи́теля. The sender's address is needed here. |
| квита́нция | kvitántsiya | receipt | Сохрани́те квита́нцию до доста́вки. Keep the receipt until delivery. |
| извеще́ние | izveshchénie | collection notice | У меня́ есть извеще́ние о посы́лке. I have a parcel collection notice. |
| коро́бка | koróbka | box | Мне нужна́ ма́ленькая коро́бка. I need a small box. |
| доста́вка | dostávka | delivery | Ско́лько сто́ит доста́вка? How much does delivery cost? |
| почто́вый и́ндекс | pochtóvyy índeks | postcode | Напиши́те почто́вый и́ндекс. Write the postcode. |
| но́мер для отсле́живания | nómer dlya otslézhivaniya | tracking number | Где но́мер для отсле́живания? Where is the tracking number? |
| Получи́ть посы́лку | Poluchít posýlku | collect a parcel | Мне ну́жно получи́ть посы́лку. I need to collect a parcel. |
Try the conversation
A: Здра́вствуйте. Хочу́ отпра́вить посы́лку.
Hello. I would like to send a parcel.
B: Куда́ отправля́ете?
Where are you sending it?
A: Вот а́дрес. Мне нужна́ коро́бка.
Here is the address. I need a box.
B: Вы́берите разме́р и запо́лните э́ту часть.
Choose a size and fill in this section.
A: Спаси́бо. Где бу́дет но́мер для отсле́живания?
Thank you. Where will the tracking number be?
B: На квита́нции. Сохрани́те её, пожа́луйста.
On the receipt. Please keep it.
Questions about this situation
How do I say that I want to collect a parcel?
Which word means the recipient?
How do I ask about a tracking number?
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