caixa
/ˈka.ʃɐ/feminine, masculine
In Portuguese, the English phrase 'teller' is translated as caixa.
caixa is used broadly to refer to a bank teller or a general cashier in retail settings. For a more formal expression, specifically describing a customer service representative who handles financial transactions, you can use Atendente de Caixa.
Meaning: bank clerk who receives and pays out money (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word caixa literally means 'box' or 'cash register', which explains why it is used to refer to the person working at the register.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun caixa is common to both genders. You must use the masculine article o for a male teller (o caixa) and the feminine article a for a female teller (a caixa).
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈka.ʃɐ/. It has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- In a musical context, a caixa is not a person or a bank, but a snare drum. This is because the drum's body is shaped like a shallow wooden box.
- The word caixa is a distant relative of the English word 'capsule'. Both derive from the Latin capsa, which referred to a cylindrical box for keeping letters or scrolls.
- The term caixa eletrônico is used for an 'ATM', literally meaning an 'electronic box'.
Examples in context
- Eu reconheci o caixa do banco como o homem que eu tinha visto no cinema.I recognized the bank teller as the man I had seen in the movie theater.This sentence is useful for recognizing a bank teller (caixa) in a specific context.Tatoeba #1837757 by nowasky, translation #18435 by CK
- Ao chegar ao banco, dirija-se ao balcão e solicite o serviço do atendente.Upon arrival at the bank, proceed to the teller counter and request assistance from the teller.
- O atendente de caixa me ajudou com o depósito e retirada de dinheiro.The teller assisted me with the deposit and withdrawal of money.
- Preciso conversar com um funcionário do balcão sobre a minha conta bancária.I need to speak to a teller about my bank account.
- Vou pedir para o caixa trocar essas notas grandes por notas menores.I'll ask the teller to exchange these large bills for smaller ones.
- A operadora de caixa estava muito ágil no atendimento aos clientes.The teller was very efficient in serving the customers.
- O atendente está ocupado no momento, mas logo estará disponível para ajudar.The teller is currently busy, but will be available to assist shortly.
- O caixa do banco estava muito ocupado.The bank teller was very busy.
- Eu precisei falar com a caixa para sacar o dinheiro.I needed to speak with the teller to withdraw the money.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Beatriz are at the bank to solve a problem.
- GabrielBeatriz, você falou com o caixa?Beatriz, did you speak with the teller?
- BeatrizSim, o caixa me explicou tudo.Yes, the teller explained everything to me.
- GabrielEle resolveu o problema da sua conta?Did he resolve the problem with your account?
- BeatrizSim, ele foi muito prestativo.Yes, he was very helpful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “teller” translations and entries caixa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries caixa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
