How to Ask About Tracking a Package in German
Learn to ask 'Can I track this package?' in German, understand German tracking numbers, and use polite forms for phone, email, and in-person inquiries.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
When a parcel goes missing or you simply want to know where it is, you need the right German question. This lesson teaches you how to ask whether a package can be tracked, how to refer to a tracking number, and how to check a delivery status. You will practise polite and neutral registers, learn the key nouns Sendung, Paket, and Lieferung, and see how German speakers ask for a Sendungsnummer or Trackingnummer. The focus is on real situations: at a post office counter, on the phone with customer service, or in an email.
By the end, you can…
- ask whether a package can be tracked in German.
- ask for and understand a tracking number in German.
- check the current status of a shipment using standard German phrases.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Kann ich dieses Paket verfolgen?
Can I track this package?
kahn ikh DEE-zes pah-KET fer-FOL-gen
Neutral, direct question. Use verfolgen for digital tracking; it is standard in logistics contexts.
Kann ich diese Sendung nachverfolgen?
Can I track this shipment?
kahn ikh DEE-ze ZEN-doong NAHKH-fer-fol-gen
Nachverfolgen is very common in customer service and means to follow up on a shipment's progress.
Wie lautet die Sendungsnummer?
What is the tracking number?
vee LOW-tet dee ZEN-doongs-noo-mer
Sendungsnummer is the standard German term used by Deutsche Post, DHL, and most carriers.
Wo kann ich den Status meiner Lieferung prüfen?
Where can I check the status of my delivery?
voh kahn ikh den SHTAH-toos MY-ner lee-FEH-roong PRUE-fen
Use this at a counter or on the phone. Prüfen means to check or verify.
Meine Sendung ist seit gestern unterwegs.
My shipment has been in transit since yesterday.
MY-ne ZEN-doong ist zyt GES-tern UN-ter-veks
Unterwegs sein means to be on the way or in transit, a common status phrase.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is Kann ich ...? plus an accusative object. German uses the accusative after können: Kann ich dieses Paket verfolgen? Kann ich diese Sendung nachverfolgen? For a tracking number, ask Wie lautet die Sendungsnummer? or Haben Sie eine Trackingnummer? The verb lauten is used for wording or reading of a number, while sein is also possible: Was ist die Sendungsnummer? Both are correct, but lauten sounds more precise in service contexts.
When to use it
Use verfolgen or nachverfolgen when you want to follow a parcel online. Use prüfen when you want to check a status, for example: Ich möchte den Status prüfen. At a post office, a polite opening is Guten Tag, ich habe eine Frage zu meiner Sendung. On the phone, say Ich rufe wegen meiner Sendung an. In email, write Ich möchte den Sendungsstatus erfragen. Note that Sendung is broader than Paket: a letter can also be a Sendung, while Paket usually means a parcel.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Guten Tag, ich habe eine Frage zu meiner Sendung.
Good day, I have a question about my shipment.GOO-ten tahk, ikh HAH-be MY-ne FRAH-ge tsoo MY-ner ZEN-doongGerne. Haben Sie die Sendungsnummer zur Hand?
Certainly. Do you have the tracking number handy?GER-ne. HAH-ben zee dee ZEN-doongs-noo-mer tsoor HANTJa, kann ich dieses Paket mit der Nummer verfolgen?
Yes, can I track this package with the number?yah, kahn ikh DEE-zes pah-KET mit dair NOO-mer fer-FOL-genJa, geben Sie die Nummer auf unserer Website ein.
Yes, enter the number on our website.yah, GAY-ben zee dee NOO-mer ouf OW-ner-er VEB-zyt ynA little context goes a long way
German customer service often uses Sie and formal openings such as Guten Tag. In Austria and Switzerland, Paket and Sendung are understood, but Swiss German may prefer Päckli in casual speech; standard written German remains Sendung. DHL and Deutsche Post use Sendungsnummer, while some international carriers say Trackingnummer. Both are understood, but Sendungsnummer is the safer default in Germany.
One thing to watch for
Using verfolgen with a person or saying Ich verfolge das Paket without context, which can sound like physically following the parcel.
Try this instead: For digital tracking, use nachverfolgen or verfolgen with an online context: Ich möchte die Sendung online nachverfolgen. If you mean to check the status, say Ich möchte den Status prüfen. Example: Kann ich die Sendung online nachverfolgen?
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask 'Can I track this package?' in German?
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Kann ich dieses Paket verfolgen?
This uses können plus the accusative object dieses Paket. Kann ich diese Sendung nachverfolgen? is also correct and common in service contexts.
2What is the standard German word for a tracking number?
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die Sendungsnummer
Sendungsnummer is used by Deutsche Post and DHL. Trackingnummer is also understood, especially with international carriers.
3Translate: 'Where can I check the status of my delivery?'
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Wo kann ich den Status meiner Lieferung prüfen?
This uses prüfen for checking a status. Wo kann ich den Status meiner Sendung prüfen? is equally valid if you prefer Sendung over Lieferung.
Use Kann ich ... verfolgen? for tracking, ask for die Sendungsnummer, and use prüfen for checking a status. Keep Sie forms for service situations.
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