The idea
“Liegen” is the normal verb for mail lying in a letterbox. “Früher” as an adjective means former: die frühere Bewohnerin. “Inzwischen” means by now. Nicht usually stands before the element it negates or at the end; with a definite object it comes after it: “Ich möchte die Briefe nicht öffnen.” “Nachfragen bei” plus dative means to enquire with someone: “beim Zusteller nachfragen”.
Other ways to say it
“Frau Becker wohnt hier nicht mehr.” – Short factual sentence for the carrier or the envelope.
“Die Empfängerin wohnt nicht mehr unter dieser Anschrift.” – A clear note to write on the envelope before returning it to the post.
Examples
- Hier liegt noch Post für die frühere Bewohnerin.There is still mail here for the previous resident.
- Ist ihr Name noch am Briefkasten?Is her name still on the letterbox?
- Nein, dort steht inzwischen mein Name.No, my name is on it now.
- Dann fragen Sie beim Zusteller nach.Then ask the delivery person.
- Ich möchte die Briefe nicht öffnen.I do not want to open the letters.
- Das Anliegen können Sie genau so erklären.You can explain the issue exactly like that.
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Watch out
“Ich möchte nicht die Briefe öffnen.” → “Ich möchte die Briefe nicht öffnen.”: To negate the whole action, nicht comes after a definite object and before the infinitive. “Nicht die Briefe” sounds as if you would open something else instead.
Try it yourself
Translate into German: There is still mail here for the previous resident.
Show answer or example answer
Hier liegt noch Post für die frühere Bewohnerin.
“Hier” opens the sentence, so “liegt” is second; “noch Post” is the subject and “für die frühere Bewohnerin” is accusative after für.
Put the words in order: dort / inzwischen / mein / Name / Nein / steht
Show answer or example answer
Nein, dort steht inzwischen mein Name.
“Dort” opens the sentence and “steht” is second; “inzwischen” means by now, and “mein Name” is the subject.
Write this sentence in German: You can explain the issue exactly like that.
Show answer or example answer
Das Anliegen können Sie genau so erklären.
The object “Das Anliegen” is fronted for emphasis; “können Sie” follows, and “genau so erklären” closes the sentence.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
Translate into German: There is still mail here for the previous resident.
Hier liegt noch Post für die frühere Bewohnerin.
Put the words in order: dort / inzwischen / mein / Name / Nein / steht
Nein, dort steht inzwischen mein Name.
Write this sentence in German: You can explain the issue exactly like that.
Das Anliegen können Sie genau so erklären.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Write the two sentences you would say to your carrier about mail for a previous tenant, making clear that you have not opened it.