Learning Business English

Learning English > Business English > English For Work > Cashiers

English for Cashiers

Are you looking for a job in a foreign country? Many foreign workers start out as cashiers. You can learn a lot of English in this job. Cashiers work in grocery stores, department stores, restaurants, and other businesses. Cashiers play an important role in many businesses.

Most cashiers receive training on the job. Your training may be difficult if your supervisor doesn't speak your native language. These pages will help you learn and practise vocabulary and expressions related to working as a cashier. Read and listen to the lessons. Then take the quizzes to test your comprehension.

For the purpose of these pages, English Club uses the general term cashier. Cashiers do much more than accept payment for purchases. They also handle customer complaints, direct customers to products, and share product knowledge. Some cashiers are also responsible for food preparation and cleaning. Some companies use other terms for cashiers including:
clerk
customer service representative (CSR)
sales associate
teller

Cashier Vocabulary

Word	Meaning
action code	a number cashiers type on the register to tell the computer to do something (#2A=void item)
adjustment	a change (usually related to price change)
age restricted items	products such as alcohol, tobacco, and restricted movies and videos which cannot be purchased by minors
aisles	long narrow areas that a room is divided into
associate	another employee who works with you
bag verb	to place purchased items in a bag for the customer
bank card	a card that allows customers to purchase an item using money from their bank account (also called debit card)
bar code	a series of lines that a computer reads to determine the product and price
bill	the total amount owed by the customer (also called receipt)
break	a short time for an employee to take a rest from work
bulk	items that are purchased in large amounts (also refers to items where customer collects the amount desired from a large bin)
cash	paper or coin money that the customer gives for payment
cash advance	money given to an employee or customer that he will have to pay back later
cash register	system used to key in purchases; also makes mathematical calculations and records payments
change	the money you give back to a customer
charge verb	to request a certain payment (They charge fifty dollars an hour.)
charge verb and noun	to pay (payment) with a credit card
checkout	the place where customers go to pay for purchases
clerk	person who serves customers; usually stands behind a desk
coins	small amounts of money; circular shape (also called change)
company procedures	the rules and practices outlined by the employer for the employees
competition	other businesses that offer similar products or services
counterfeit	money that looks real but is actually fake
coupon	a piece of paper that offers a set discount on a product or service
consumer	the person who buys and uses the products and services
coupon	a piece of paper that offers a set discount on a product or service
currency	type of money used in each country (eg. dollar, yen)
customer	the person who buys the product or service
customer service	fulfilling the needs of the people who buy products or services
damaged; defective	does not work or does not look new
deactivate	remove security device
debit	to take money out (also refers to paying with a bank card)
denomination	related to type of currency (eg. ones, tens, fifties )
department store	a store that sells a wide variety of personal and household needs, such as groceries, furniture and clothing
discount	a price reduction
estimate	guess the right amount
float	the amount of money in a cash register or till before and after a person's shift
feed	to insert the end of a roll of paper into a slot
gift certificate; gift card	a pre-paid card that a customer uses to pay for purchases
gift receipt	a receipt that documents a purchase but does not include the price of the product
identification	photograph and official document that proves who a person is
initials	first letter of a person's first and last name
inquiry	a question
key in	to type a code into a cash register
(put on) layaway	to put a product away for a customer who will come back to purchase it at a later time
log	a record of sales information
manual	instruction booklet
merchandise	things that customers buy
multiple item	a product that a customer is buying more than one of (eg. five balls)
multitask	do many things at once
NOF	an error code that means a product price is not on file
on sale	costs less than usual
orientation	a time for learning about the company and job
peak time	the busy time of the day
perk	a little bonus that employees enjoy on top of their wage or salary (eg.restaurant employees get free lunch)
personal check	a written document that allows a business to retrieve funds from a customer's bank account
price override	change the automated price of a product or service
POS system	Point of Sale system (cash register)
price tag	the sticker or ticket that tells customers what a product costs
produce	fresh fruit and vegetables
promotion	a special discount or offer
prompt service	to help customers quickly
punch in/out	record the start and end time of your shift using a time clock system
rain check	a ticket given to a customer that allows them to receive an out-of-stock item or attend a cancelled event at a later date
receipt	a piece of paper that records the place, time, and price of items or services purchased
reduce(d)	price is less than usual
refund	get money back
register area	the place where a cashier stands and serves the customer
register tape	the paper that goes into the cash register and provides a printed record of all transactions
retailer	a store or business that sells products for the manufacturer
ring in	type the product code or service item into the POS
safe	a secure cabinet where a large amount of money is locked up; requires a code or key to open
sale	a price reduction
scan	pass a product over a laser (scanner reads the bar code and transfers the data (price, product name) to the POS system)
schedule	a table that identifies the weekly or monthly shifts for each employee
security device	a device attached to products that will set off an alarm if it is not removed by the cashier
serial number	a number system used to identify products and services
shelves	long rows of flat wood or metal used to hold products that are for sale in a store
shift report	a record of notes that must be handed in by a cashier at the end of a work shift
sign in/sign off	indicate that one is starting or finishing
supplies	things that are needed to do a job (eg. calculator, pens, paper)
supplier	the company or business that provides a retailer or wholesaler with products to sell
swipe	slide quickly across (eg. Swipe your credit card through the card reader, please.)
tally	add up
tax exempt	a special case in which the customer does not have to pay taxes
tender	money
terminal	a single computer or POS system
till	the drawer that holds money in a cash register
transaction	the sale and purchase of a product or service
UPC	Universal Product Code: a number the identifies the product and the retailer
void	cancel a transaction
wholesale	the sale of a large quantity of goods to a retail outlet
workstation	the area where a cashier works

Cashier Transactions

Dealing with money can be stressful. It is easier to make mistakes when transactions are not in your native language. Take your time. Making mistakes can be costly. Many customers will not tell you if you make a mistake. Some companies will make you pay for shortages. Customers will be more patient if you are honest. Tell them you are training. They will also appreciate your effort to learn their language. Say, "Please bear with me. I'm still learning." As you become comfortable with the currency and the payment system your service in English will speed up.

Cashier Transactions: Language

Here are some expressions to use on the job. Practise them with a friend or family member. Refer to the vocabulary list if you don't know a word.

Do you have a discount card today?
Are you using any coupons today?
I will need to see some ID to sell you a lottery ticket. (for age restricted items)
I'm sorry but your card has been declined. Would you like to use another form of payment? (when a credit or debit card has insufficient funds.)
Will there be anything else for you today?
Is this everything today?
And how was everything today? (service industry)
Will that be cash or charge?
How will you be paying today?
Your total comes to $16.50.
From twenty...and here's $3.50 change.
Please swipe your card.
I just need to see some photo ID to verify your check.
Would you like your receipt in the bag?

Sample Transactions: Speaking Practice

Find an English friend to practise with. Take turns being cashier and customer.

Sample Cash transaction

Cashier: Hello. Is this everything for you today?
Customer: Yes. Just a few items today.
Cashier: Did you find everything you were looking for?
Customer: Yes, thank you.
Cashier: Okay. Your total comes to $8.70. (say "eight seventy" or "eight dollars and seventy cents")
Customer: Can you break a fifty? I'm afraid I don't have anything smaller.
Cashier: No problem. From fifty..$41.30 is your change. (say "forty-one thirty" or "forty-one dollars and thirty cents")
Customer: Thank you.
Cashier: Thank you. See you again.

Sample Credit Card transaction

Cashier: Here is your order, sir. Two pepperoni pizzas. Will there be anything else?
Customer: No, that's great thanks.
Cashier: Okay. Will that be cash or charge today?
Customer: Charge.
Cashier: Okay. Please swipe your card in the machine...Sorry, can you try again please.
Customer: Is there a problem with my card?
Cashier: No, it's going through fine this time. I'll just need you to sign here, please.
Customer: There you go.
Cashier: Thank you Mr. Bates. Enjoy your pizza!

Customer Service for Cashiers

In many businesses, the cashier is the first person a customer sees. In fact, in the majority of sales situations the cashier is the only employee a customer actually speaks to. Customers are more likely to return to the same business if the cashiers are friendly, helpful, and polite. Though your time with each customer is short, your role in their day is important. You could be the one to put a smile on their face and the one who convinces them to come again another time.

Customer Service: Language

Here are some expressions to practise and use on the job. Refer to cashier vocabulary for any words you don't know.

Did you find everything you were looking for today?
Has it warmed up/cooled down/dried up out there yet? (More small talk)
Are you interested in taking part in our promotion?
I apologize for the wait.
I'm new at this job. Thank you for your patience.
I'm going to have to call to get a price check.
Do you need a hand out with your bags?
Have a wonderful day.
Thanks for shopping at...
Please come again.
See you again soon.

Sample Customer Service Encounters: Speaking Practice

Find an English friend to practise with. Take turns being cashier and customer.

Making a sale (upselling)

Cashier: I see you've chosen some nice blouses from our fall line. Are you aware of our promotion today?
Customer: No, actually, I'm not.
Cashier: All men's and lady's fall tops are on buy one get one free.
Customer: Oh, that's great.
Cashier: Would you like to look around some more? There are some great men's dress shirts at the back of the store.
Customer: No thank you. I can't shop for my husband. He never likes what I pick out for him.
Cashier: (laughs) So, just these two blouses today then?
Customer: Yes, that's all for today.

Handling a complaint

Cashier: How was your meal today?
Customer: Well, the food was good as it always is. We were a bit disappointed in the service tonight, though.
Cashier: Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. Would you like to fill out a comment card? Or I could get a manager for you.
Customer: That's okay. We know it's your peak time. We usually try to come a little earlier before the rush.
Cashier: Well, I'd like to make it up to you. I'm going to give you a discount today. I'll take your drinks and dessert off the bill.
Customer: Oh, that would be nice. Thank you.
Cashier: No, thank you. Your satisfaction is important to us. Here's a coupon for your next visit. Please come again.
Customer: Thank you. We will.