posten

Posten is a term used in several Nordic languages that carries a few related meanings. Primarily, posten is the definite form of post and is commonly used to refer to mail, the postal system, or a post office. In everyday language it can denote both the mail items themselves and the organization that delivers them, as in discussions about delivering the post or going to the post office. The usage is largely generic and context determines whether it means the mail, the service, or the institution.

In addition to its general sense, posten has been used as a proper noun or brand name for postal operators in Nordic countries. Some national postal services or their marketing arms have used Posten as part of their official name or as a brand of their postal products. Over time, many operators have undergone rebranding to different names or structures (for example, adopting new brands for parcels or international logistics), but the term has remained common in colloquial speech and advertising in regions where it originated.

Because posten functions as both a common noun and a brand term, its meaning depends on context. It is most often encountered in reference to mail and postal services, but readers may also see it used in corporate names or marketing materials tied to postal operations. See also: Post.