Portuguese Phrase
Isso é correio internacional.
Meaning
The sentence states that the object being pointed at is international mail—either a letter, package, or any postal item that originated from abroad.
When to use
Use this phrase at the post office, when receiving a parcel, or when explaining to someone that a piece of mail came from another country. It’s also handy when sorting mail at home or in a workplace.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Issoécorreiointernacional.
Isso (demonstrative pronoun)
Used to refer to something that is not close to the speaker; equivalent to 'this/that' in English.
é (verb ser, present)
The verb 'ser' is used for essential identity; here it links the subject 'isso' with the noun phrase.
correio (noun)
Means 'mail' or 'post'; can refer to a letter, parcel, or the postal service.
internacional (adjective)
Describes something that comes from or goes to another country; placed after the noun it modifies.
🗨In Conversation
O que é isso?
What is this?
Isso é correio internacional.
This is international mail.
✕Common Mistakes
Esse é correio internacional.
Use 'isso' for something not close to the speaker; 'esse' is a demonstrative adjective that must accompany a noun.
Isso está correio internacional.
Use 'é' (ser) for identity; 'está' (estar) would imply a temporary condition, which is incorrect here.
Isso é correio externo.
While understood, the standard term is 'correio internacional' for mail that crosses borders.
↔Alternatives
É correspondência internacional.
It's international correspondence.
É uma carta internacional.
It's an international letter.
É um pacote internacional.
It's an international package.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, the national postal service is called 'Correios'. When people refer to 'correio internacional' they usually mean items handled by Correios that travel across borders. In informal speech you might also hear 'correio externo' or simply 'um pacote vindo de fora'. Remember that 'é' (ser) is used for identity, while 'está' (estar) would be wrong here because mail isn’t a temporary state.