zustellen
deliver
Etwas an eine bestimmte Person oder an einen bestimmten Ort bringen und dort übergeben.
Definition & meaning
zustellen is a separable German verb with several related meanings:
-
To deliver or hand over something, especially mail, parcels, or official documents to the intended recipient.
- Die Post stellt den Brief morgen zu. — “The post will deliver the letter tomorrow.”
- Das Paket wurde zugestellt. — “The parcel was delivered.”
-
To block or obstruct something by placing an object in front of it.
- Die Möbel stellen den Eingang zu. — “The furniture is blocking the entrance.”
- Bitte stell den Fluchtweg nicht zu. — “Please do not block the emergency exit.”
The meaning is usually clear from the object: postal items are delivered, while entrances, paths, and rooms are blocked.
Grammar & Word origin
- Infinitive: zustellen
- Separable prefix: zu- + stellen
- Present tense: ich stelle zu
- Simple past: ich stellte zu
- Past participle: zugestellt
- Auxiliary verb: haben
- Der Brief ist zugestellt worden. — “The letter was delivered.”
The verb consists of zu “to, toward, closed” and stellen “to place or stand.” Literally, it can suggest either “place toward something” or “place so that something is closed or obstructed.”
Synonyms & antonyms
Meaning “to deliver”
- ausliefern — “to deliver”; often used for parcels, goods, or orders and somewhat more focused on the delivery process.
- übergeben — “to hand over”; emphasizes physically giving something to another person.
- abgeben — “to hand in” or “to give over”; broader than zustellen and not necessarily connected with delivery to an address.
Antonyms include:
Meaning “to block or obstruct”
- versperren — “to block” or “bar”; often implies that passage is made impossible.
- blockieren — “to block”; a general and often more technical term.
- verstellen — “to obstruct by placing something in the way”; very close in meaning when referring to a passage or opening.
Antonyms include:
- freimachen — “to clear”
- räumen — “to clear away”
- öffnen — “to open,” especially when an entrance or opening is involved.
Common phrases & collocations
- einen Brief zustellen — to deliver a letter
- ein Paket zustellen — to deliver a parcel
- eine Sendung zustellen — to deliver a shipment
- erfolgreich zugestellt — successfully delivered
- den Eingang zustellen — to block the entrance
- den Weg zustellen — to obstruct the path
- etwas ist zugestellt — something is blocked or, in a delivery context, has been delivered
Make “zustellen” part of your vocabulary.
Build your German vocabulary with flashcards, audio and spaced repetition.
Examples
Der Briefträger wird das Paket morgen zustellen.verb
The mailman will deliver the package tomorrow.
Wann wurden die Einladungen zugestellt?verb
When were the invitations delivered?
Keep exploring German
Learn words from the content you love.
Add words from websites, books and videos, then remember them with spaced repetition (SRS).
Scan for iPhone & iPad