How to Say 'I Need an Envelope' in German: Sizes and Buying
Learn to say 'I need an envelope' in German, ask for different sizes, and buy envelopes at a shop or post office with confidence.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
In this lesson, you will learn how to say 'I need an envelope' in German and how to ask for specific envelope sizes. Whether you are at a stationery shop (Schreibwarengeschäft), post office (Post), or supermarket, you will be able to request the right envelope and understand the answer. We focus on the noun der Umschlag (envelope) and its plural die Umschläge, along with useful phrases for buying. You will also learn how to specify size using standard German terms like DIN A4, DIN lang, and C6. By the end, you can confidently ask for an envelope and respond to simple questions about quantity and size.
By the end, you can…
- say 'I need an envelope' in German.
- ask for a specific envelope size using common German terms.
- understand and respond to a shopkeeper's questions about quantity and size.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Ich brauche einen Umschlag.
I need an envelope.
ikh BROU-khuh AY-nen OOM-shlahk
Standard polite way to state a need. Use einen because Umschlag is masculine and the verb brauchen takes the accusative case.
Haben Sie Umschläge?
Do you have envelopes?
HAH-ben zee OOM-shlair-guh
Use this to ask if a shop sells envelopes in general. The plural Umschläge contains the umlaut ü, pronounced with the tongue in the 'ee' position and the lips rounded, somewhat like the 'u' in French 'tu'.
Ich brauche einen Umschlag in DIN lang.
I need an envelope in DIN long size.
ikh BROU-khuh AY-nen OOM-shlahk in DEEN lahng
DIN lang is a common German envelope size, roughly 110 x 220 mm, used for business letters. Use in + size to specify.
Haben Sie auch größere Umschläge?
Do you also have larger envelopes?
HAH-ben zee oukh GRUR-suh-ruh OOM-shlair-guh
Use größere (comparative of groß) to ask for larger sizes. The umlaut ö is a front rounded vowel: say 'ay' (as in 'say') while rounding your lips, without any r sound.
Ich nehme zehn Stück.
I'll take ten pieces.
ikh NAY-muh tsayn shtewk
Use Stück as a neutral measure word for envelopes. You can replace zehn with any number.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To say you need something, use 'Ich brauche' + accusative. For masculine nouns like der Umschlag, the accusative article changes to einen: Ich brauche einen Umschlag. For feminine nouns like die Briefmarke (stamp), it stays eine: Ich brauche eine Briefmarke. For neuter nouns like das Papier, it stays ein: Ich brauche ein Papier. To ask for a specific size, add 'in' + size: Ich brauche einen Umschlag in DIN A4. To ask for a quantity, use 'Ich nehme' + number + Stück: Ich nehme fünf Stück.
When to use it
Use 'Ich brauche einen Umschlag' in shops, at the post office, or with colleagues. It is direct but polite. If you want to be more formal, say 'Ich bräuchte einen Umschlag' (I would need an envelope), using the subjunctive. In Austria and Switzerland, der Umschlag is also standard, but you may hear 'das Kuvert' in Austria and Switzerland for a letter envelope. For example, in Vienna: 'Ich brauche ein Kuvert.' In Germany, 'Kuvert' is understood but less common. At the post office, you might ask: 'Haben Sie Umschläge in DIN lang?'
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Guten Tag, ich brauche einen Umschlag.
Good day, I need an envelope.GOO-ten tahk, ikh BROU-khuh AY-nen OOM-shlahkWelche Größe brauchen Sie?
Which size do you need?VEL-khuh GRUR-suh BROU-khen zeeIn DIN lang, bitte. Haben Sie auch größere?
In DIN long, please. Do you also have larger ones?in DEEN lahng, BIT-tuh. HAH-ben zee oukh GRUR-suh-ruhJa, hier sind DIN A4 Umschläge. Wie viele möchten Sie?
Yes, here are DIN A4 envelopes. How many would you like?yah, heer zint DEEN ah-FEER OOM-shlair-guh. vee FEE-luh MURKH-ten zeeA little context goes a long way
In Germany, stationery shops (Schreibwarengeschäfte) and post offices sell envelopes in standard sizes. The term 'Umschlag' is standard in Germany, while 'Kuvert' is common in Austria and Switzerland. When asking for envelopes, it's polite to greet first with 'Guten Tag' and then state your request. Using 'Sie' (formal you) is appropriate with strangers. In informal settings, you can use 'du', but in shops, 'Sie' is safer.
One thing to watch for
Saying 'Ich brauche ein Umschlag' because you think Umschlag is neuter.
Try this instead: Umschlag is masculine (der Umschlag), so in the accusative you must say 'Ich brauche einen Umschlag.' The neuter form 'ein' is incorrect here. Remember: der Umschlag, einen Umschlag.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'I need an envelope' in German?
Show a sample answer
Ich brauche einen Umschlag.
This uses the correct accusative masculine article 'einen' for 'Umschlag'. 'Ich brauche ein Umschlag' is wrong because 'Umschlag' is masculine.
2Ask the shopkeeper if they have larger envelopes.
Show a sample answer
Haben Sie auch größere Umschläge?
This uses the comparative 'größere' and the plural 'Umschläge'. You could also say 'Haben Sie größere Umschläge?' without 'auch', but 'auch' makes it sound more natural when you've already asked about a size.
3You want to buy five envelopes. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
Ich nehme fünf Stück.
This is a standard way to state quantity. You can also say 'Ich nehme fünf Umschläge', but 'Stück' is common when buying multiple items. Both are correct.
To buy an envelope in German, say 'Ich brauche einen Umschlag' and specify size with 'in' + size (e.g., in DIN lang). Remember that 'Umschlag' is masculine, so use 'einen' in the accusative. In Austria and Switzerland, 'Kuvert' is also used.
Progress is saved on this browser.
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Put today’s German into a conversation with an AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr