caisse enregistreuse
/kɛ.s‿ɑ̃.ʁə.ʒis.tʁøz/feminine
The English phrase "cash register" is translated into French as caisse enregistreuse.
The term caisse enregistreuse refers to the machine used in retail to process transactions. In practical daily speech, you may also hear the shortened phrase à la caisse to indicate the location where one pays, such as saying one should "pay at the register" (pay at the checkout).
Meaning: machine (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word caisse literally refers to a cash box, a till or a checkout.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because caisse enregistreuse is a feminine noun, it requires the feminine article la and any associated adjectives must follow feminine agreement.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /kɛ.s‿ɑ̃.ʁə.ʒis.tʁøz/. It consists of 5 syllables.
Did you know?
- Beyond commerce, la caisse refers to the hollow wooden body of a stringed instrument, such as a violin, which acts as a resonator.
- In France, la caisse can refer to a major government agency, such as the Caisse d'Allocations Familiales which handles family benefits.
- The term caisse was borrowed into French from the Occitan word caissa before becoming the standard term for a cash box.
Examples in context
- Tom a vu Mary voler de l'argent à la caisse enregistreuse.Tom saw Mary stealing money from the cash register.This sentence is useful for seeing caisse enregistreuse used in the context of theft.Tatoeba #6891598 by chtof, translation #6891107 by CK
- Le voleur sauta par-dessus le comptoir pour accéder à la caisse enregistreuse.The thief vaulted over the counter to reach the cash register.This sentence is useful for seeing caisse enregistreuse used in the context of a thief accessing the machine.Tatoeba #12437683 by lbdx, translation #12437679 by ddnktr
- La vendeuse n'arrivait pas à ouvrir la caisse enregistreuse.The salesgirl couldn't open the cash register.This sentence is useful for seeing caisse enregistreuse used in the context of a salesgirl having trouble opening the machine.Tatoeba #2731341 by GeeZ, translation #1177875 by bart
- Je vais payer à la caisse enregistreuse.I will pay at the cash register.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Chloé are at a small boutique.
- HugoOù est la caisse enregistreuse ?Where is the cash register?
- ChloéElle est juste là-bas, près de la porte.It is right over there, near the door.
- HugoLa caisse enregistreuse semble être en panne.The cash register seems to be broken.
- ChloéAttends, je vais appeler le vendeur.Wait, I will call the salesman.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cash register” translations and entries caisse enregistreuse, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries caisse, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
