der
Kassierer
💰 What does "der Kassierer" mean?
Der Kassierer is a German word for a male cashier or teller. This person's main job is to receive money (especially cash) for goods or services and often to give back change. Typically, a Kassierer works at a Kasse (cash register or checkout counter), for example in a Supermarkt (supermarket), shop, cinema, or bank.
It also refers to the person responsible for managing the finances in a club or organisation (treasurer).
The female form is die Kassiererin.
🚨 Important: In German, the masculine form der Kassierer is sometimes still used generically, even if women might be included. However, it's increasingly common and often preferred to explicitly use Kassierer und Kassiererinnen (male and female cashiers) or gender-neutral phrasing where possible.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Male characters → always masculine.
Caution: Most professions also have their feminine forms (e.g. die Polizistin). Some words can also have two forms: der/die Deutsche, der/die Kranke.
-er → mostly masculine.
1. Caution: many exceptions. 2. almost all -euer nouns are neutral. 3. There are many -er words, we don't list them all.
🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Kassierer
The noun "Kassierer" is masculine, so the article is der. It follows the weak N-declension pattern (except for the genitive singular).
Singular Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Kassierer |
| Genitive | des | Kassierers |
| Dative | dem | Kassierer |
| Accusative | den | Kassierer |
Plural Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Kassierer |
| Genitive | der | Kassierer |
| Dative | den | Kassierern |
| Accusative | die | Kassierer |
Example Sentences
- Der Kassierer im Supermarkt war sehr freundlich. (The cashier in the supermarket was very friendly.)
- Kannst du bitte den Kassierer fragen, ob sie noch Wechselgeld haben? (Can you please ask the cashier if they still have change?)
- Der Kassierer des Vereins legt jährlich einen Finanzbericht vor. (The treasurer of the club presents an annual financial report.)
- Wir suchen neue Kassierer für unser Geschäft. (We are looking for new cashiers for our store.)
🗣️ How to Use "Kassierer"
The term "Kassierer" is mainly used in the following contexts:
- In retail: This is the most common use. Example: Der Kassierer an der Supermarktkasse. (The cashier at the supermarket checkout.)
- In banks: Although terms like Bankkaufmann/-frau (bank clerk) or Schaltermitarbeiter/-in (counter staff) are often used, Kassierer is also possible. Example: Der Kassierer zahlte mir das Geld aus. (The teller paid me the money.)
- At events: At entrances or ticket counters. Example: Der Kassierer am Kinoeingang. (The cashier at the cinema entrance.)
- In clubs/organizations: As the title for the treasurer or financial administrator. Example: Er wurde zum Kassierer des Sportvereins gewählt. (He was elected treasurer of the sports club.)
Distinction: While Kassierer refers to the person, die Kasse is the place or device where payment occurs. The female form is die Kassiererin.
🧠 Mnemonics for "der Kassierer"
Remembering the Article
Think of a typical male person (→ der) working at the Kasse (cash register) – he is der Kassierer. The "-er" ending often indicates masculine professions in German.
Remembering the Meaning
The word comes from "die Kasse" (cash register/checkout). A Kassierer is the person who works at the Kasse.
🔄 Synonyms, Antonyms & Similar Terms
Synonyms
- Kassier (Short form, colloquial)
- Schatzmeister (Treasurer, especially in clubs/associations)
- Zahlmeister (Paymaster, rather dated or official/military context)
- Einnehmer (Collector/receiver of money, dated)
Similar Terms (Potential for Confusion)
- Kassiererin: The female form (female cashier).
- Kasse: The cash register, checkout counter, or till itself.
- Inkasso(-mitarbeiter): Debt collector (different context).
😄 A Little Joke
Ein Kunde zum Kassierer: "Ist das wirklich der Endpreis?"
Kassierer: "Nein, das ist nur der Anfang vom Ende Ihres Geldes!"
Translation:
A customer to the cashier: "Is this really the final price?"
Cashier: "No, this is just the beginning of the end of your money!"
📜 Poem about the Cashier
Der Kassierer, flink und wach,
scannt die Ware, ach und krach.
Piep, piep, piep, es geht geschwind,
nimmt das Geld, zählt's wie der Wind.
Gibt das Wechselgeld zurück,
wünscht dem Kunden Glück auf Glück.
Ob im Laden, groß und klein,
muss der Kassierer fleißig sein.
Translation:
The cashier, quick and awake,
scans the goods, oh for goodness sake.
Beep, beep, beep, it goes so fast,
takes the money, counts it like a blast.
Gives the change back in a tick,
wishes the customer good luck.
Whether in a store, big or small,
the cashier must work hard for all.
🧩 Riddle
Ich sitze oft hinter Glas oder an einem Band,
nehme Scheine und Münzen in die Hand.
Ich gebe dir Quittung und Rest zurück,
wer bin ich, beim Einkaufsglück?
Translation:
I often sit behind glass or by a belt,
I take notes and coins in my hand.
I give you a receipt and the change back,
who am I, during your shopping luck?
Solution: Der Kassierer (The cashier)
💡 Other Interesting Facts
- Word Origin: The word "Kassierer" derives from "Kasse" (cash register, checkout), which in turn comes from the Italian "cassa" (box, case, cash box).
- Female Form: The explicit female form is "die Kassiererin".
- Club Role: The role of the Kassierer (Treasurer) in a German club (Verein) is an important voluntary or paid position requiring significant trust.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Kassierer?
The word "Kassierer" refers to a male person who handles money professionally or in a voluntary capacity (like a treasurer). Therefore, the correct article is der: der Kassierer.
