Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| レジ係 | reji gakari | |
| 出納係 | suitōgakari | [sɨito̞ːɡa̠ka̠ɾʲi] (narrow) |
レジ係 is the standard term for a cashier in retail or restaurant settings. In daily conversation, Japanese speakers often use the word レジ (reji) to refer to the cash register, the checkout counter or even the act of paying at the cashier.
What does it mean word for word?
The word レジ係 (reji gakari) is a combination of the loanword レジ (reji), meaning "cash register" and the suffix 係 (gakari), meaning "person in charge of".
Which one should you use?
レジ係 is used for a cashier in a service or retail environment. In contrast, 出納係 refers to a more formal role involving the management of incoming and outgoing funds or accounting.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
出納係 is a formal term used in administrative, corporate or institutional contexts to describe someone responsible for handling cash and accounting.
How do you pronounce it?
reji gakari
Did you know?
- In many Japanese stores, the cashier does not just take payment but also presents the change and receipt on a small plastic tray rather than handing it directly to the customer.
- The word レジ (reji) is a shortened version of the English word 'register'. Japanese speakers frequently truncate foreign loanwords to two or four syllables to fit the rhythmic patterns of their language.
- The suffix 係 (gakari) used in レジ係 is common for any designated duty, such as a 'cleanup person' or 'attendance taker', regardless of whether the role is professional or a school chore.
Examples in context
- 彼はスーパーのレジ係です。Kare wa sūpā no rejigakari desu.He is a supermarket cashier.
- レジ係はとても親切でした。Rejigakari wa totemo shinsetsu deshita.The cashier was very kind.
- 新しいレジ係を募集しています。Atarashii rejigakari o boshū shite imasu.We are looking for a new cashier.
Example conversation
A woman asks her boyfriend about his new part-time job.
- 大翔 Hiroto新しい仕事は何？Atarashii shigoto wa nani?What is your new job?
- 陽葵 Himariコンビニのレジ係だよ。Konbini no rejigakari da yo.I am a convenience store cashier.
- 大翔 Hiroto大変そうだけど、頑張ってね。Taihen sō dakedo, ganbatte ne.It sounds tough, but good luck.
- 陽葵 Himariありがとう、頑張るよ。Arigatō, ganbaru yo.Thanks, I'll do my best.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cashier” translations and entries 出納係, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
