die  Kassiererin

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/kaˈsiːʁəʁɪn/

👩‍💼 What does 'die Kassiererin' mean?

'Die Kassiererin' is a feminine noun and refers to a woman whose job is to work at a checkout or cash register ('Kasse'). She accepts money ('Geld'), gives change ('Wechselgeld'), and processes payments, typically in shops ('Geschäfte'), supermarkets ('Supermärkte'), banks ('Banken'), or at ticket counters ('Ticketschaltern').

It's the female form of the word 'der Kassierer' (male cashier). The ending '-in' often indicates female job titles in German.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar in Detail: die Kassiererin

'Die Kassiererin' is a feminine noun. Here are the declension tables:

💡 Example Sentences

1. Die Kassiererin an der Supermarktkasse war sehr freundlich. (The cashier at the supermarket checkout was very friendly.)
2. Ich fragte die Kassiererin nach dem Preis. (I asked the cashier for the price.)
3. Das Wechselgeld habe ich von der Kassiererin erhalten. (I received the change from the cashier.)
4. Der Dank galt der Kassiererin für ihre schnelle Arbeit. (The thanks went to the cashier for her quick work.)
5. Im Supermarkt arbeiten viele Kassiererinnen. (Many cashiers [female] work in the supermarket.)

🛒 How to use 'die Kassiererin'?

The word 'die Kassiererin' is specifically used for female individuals working at a checkout ('Kasse').

• Context: Most commonly found in retail ('Einzelhandel' - supermarkets, department stores), but also in cinemas ('Kinos'), banks ('Banken'), toll booths ('Mautstellen'), or at events ('Veranstaltungen').
• Distinction: A 'Verkäuferin' (saleswoman) often has broader responsibilities, including advising customers and presenting goods. A 'Kassiererin' primarily focuses on the payment process. In modern usage, the neutral term 'Kassenkraft' (checkout staff) is sometimes used.
• Formality: 'Kassiererin' is a neutral and common term. 'Kassendame' (checkout lady) is somewhat dated and can sound slightly condescending.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic: Words ending in '-in' that denote a female person are almost always feminine in German. Think of: 'Die Professorin' (female professor), 'die Ärztin' (female doctor), 'die Freundin' (female friend) – and therefore also 'die Kassiererin'.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine a woman putting money ('Geld') into the cash register ('Kasse'). She is the 'Kasse' woman, the Kassiererin.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words (Potential Confusion):

• Kassierer (m): The male form. (Male cashier)
• Kasse (f): The place/device where payment occurs. (Checkout, cash register, till)
• kassieren (verb): The act of taking money, or colloquially 'to pocket' or 'to collect'.

😄 A Little Joke

Kunde: "Haben Sie Kleingeld für den Einkaufswagen?"
Kassiererin: "Nein, tut mir leid, ich brauche meines noch für die Kasse!"

Translation:
Customer: "Do you have change for the shopping cart?"
Cashier: "No, sorry, I still need mine for the till!"

✍️ Poem about the Kassiererin

Piep, piep, macht der Scanner schnell,
die Kassiererin, hell und adrett,
nimmt das Geld, zählt's auf der Stell',
gibt das Wechselgeld, sehr nett.
Ob Brot, ob Milch, ob süßer Wein,
sie zieht es übern Ladentisch,
lächelt freundlich, das muss sein,
am Ende sagt sie: "Bitte frisch!"

Translation:
Beep, beep, goes the scanner fast,
the cashier, bright and neat,
takes the money, counts it steadfast,
gives back the change, oh so sweet.
Whether bread, or milk, or sugary wine,
she scans it over the counter top,
smiles kindly, that's the line,
at the end she says: "Enjoy your drop!" (Literal: Please fresh!)

❓ Riddle

Ich sitze oft den ganzen Tag,
nehme Geld, was man mir gab.
Ich gebe Scheine, Münzen klein,
im Supermarkt, wer mag ich sein?
(Eine weibliche Person)

Translation:
I often sit the whole day long,
Take money that to me was flung.
I give out bills and coins so small,
In the supermarket, who am I called?
(A female person)

Solution: die Kassiererin (the female cashier)

🧩 Other Information

Word Composition:

The word 'Kassiererin' is composed of:

• Kasse: Originates from the Italian 'cassa' (box, cash box).
• -ier: A suffix often indicating an activity or profession (like in 'Bankier' - banker, 'Portier' - porter).
• -in: The suffix used to form the feminine version.

The masculine form is 'der Kassierer'.