Spanish at the Post Office and Government Offices

Send a package, make an appointment and deal with forms in Spanish, with audio.

At the post office

SpanishEnglish
la oficina de correosthe post office
la cartathe letter
el paquetethe package
el sellothe stamp
el sobrethe envelope
la direcciónthe address
el código postalthe zip code
el buzónthe mailbox

Sending something

SpanishEnglish
Quisiera enviar este paquete a Estados Unidos.I would like to send this package to the United States.
¿Cuánto cuesta enviar una carta?How much does it cost to send a letter?
¿Cuánto tarda en llegar?How long does it take to arrive?
Necesito dos sellos, por favor.I need two stamps, please.
Quisiera enviarlo certificado.I would like to send it by registered mail.
Vengo a recoger un paquete.I am here to pick up a package.

At a government office

SpanishEnglish
la citathe appointment
el formulariothe form
el documentothe document
la firmathe signature
la ventanillathe service window
el número de turnothe ticket number
la copiathe copy
el trámitethe procedure

Sentences for the office

SpanishEnglish
Tengo una cita a las diez.I have an appointment at ten.
¿Qué documentos necesito?What documents do I need?
¿Dónde tengo que firmar?Where do I have to sign?
¿Puede ayudarme con este formulario?Can you help me with this form?
¿Cuánto tarda el trámite?How long does the procedure take?
¿Tengo que pagar una tasa?Do I have to pay a fee?
Necesito una copia de este documento.I need a copy of this document.
¿Puede repetirlo más despacio, por favor?Can you repeat it more slowly, please?

What you will hear

SpanishEnglish
Tome un número.Take a number.
Rellene este formulario.Fill out this form.
Firme aquí, por favor.Sign here, please.
Falta un documento.A document is missing.
Vuelva mañana.Come back tomorrow.
Pase a la ventanilla tres.Go to window three.

Common mistakes to avoid

An appointment is una cita

The same word is used for a date with someone.
Quisiera pedir una cita. (I would like to make an appointment.)
Tengo cita con el señor López. (I have an appointment with Mr. López.)

Dirección means address

It also means direction, but in an office it is your address.
¿Cuál es su dirección? (What is your address?)
Escriba su dirección aquí. (Write your address here.)

Practice: say it in Spanish

Say each sentence in Spanish, then open it to check your answer.

1. I would like to send this letter.

Quisiera enviar esta carta.

2. I need a stamp.

Necesito un sello.

3. I have an appointment.

Tengo una cita.

4. Where do I sign?

¿Dónde firmo?

5. I need this form.

Necesito este formulario.

6. How much does it cost?

¿Cuánto cuesta?

Quick quiz: Post office and offices

1. "el sello" is:

2. "la cita" means:

3. "el formulario" is:

4. How do you say "I would like to send this package"?

5. "Firme aquí" means:

6. "la dirección" in an office is your:

7. "¿Cuánto tarda?" asks:

8. "Rellene este formulario" means:

9. "el buzón" is:

10. "Falta un documento" means:

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