01
die Kasse
checkout
The place in a store, supermarket, or restaurant where customers pay for their goods or services.
example
Die Schlange an der Kasse war sehr lang.
The line at the checkout was very long.
die Kasse
checkout / cash register
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
01 / 05
Usage tips
Context clue: place
The exact meaning of 'Kasse' often depends on the place. In a supermarket, the 'Kasse' is the checkout where you pay; in a theater or cinema, it is the ticket counter or box office.
EXAMPLE
Wir müssen uns beeilen, sonst schließt die Theaterkasse gleich.
We have to hurry, otherwise the theater box office will close soon.
Typical collocations
When 'Kasse' means the place where you pay in a store, typical phrases are 'an der Kasse stehen' (to be standing at the checkout), 'an der Kasse warten' (to wait at the checkout), or simply 'zur Kasse gehen' (to go to the checkout).
EXAMPLE
Ich gehe schon mal vor und stelle mich an der Kasse an.
I'll go ahead and get in line at the checkout.
Colloquial meaning
In everyday language, 'die Kasse' is very often used as a colloquial abbreviation for 'die Krankenkasse' (the health insurance fund/health insurer).
EXAMPLE
Ich muss bei der Kasse anrufen und fragen, ob die Kur genehmigt wurde.
I need to call the health insurer and ask whether the treatment course was approved.
Context clue: health insurance
You can recognize the meaning 'Krankenkasse' (health insurer) when the topic is medical treatments, cost coverage, or insurance. Typical verbs are 'bezahlen' (to pay), 'übernehmen' (to cover), or 'einreichen' (to submit).
EXAMPLE
Die Kosten für das Medikament werden von der Kasse übernommen.
The costs of the medication are covered by the health insurer.
Typical collocations (finances)
When talking about a group's finances, people often speak of the 'Vereinskasse' (club funds) or 'Klassenkasse' (class fund). Fixed expressions are 'die Kasse ist leer' (the funds are empty) or 'Geld in die Kasse legen' (to put money into the fund).
EXAMPLE
Für die Klassenfahrt hat jeder 20 Euro in die Kasse eingezahlt.
For the class trip, everyone paid 20 euros into the fund.
Compare with
Kasse vs Versicherung
insurance / assurance
'die Versicherung' and 'die Kasse' can both occur in the area of health and financial protection. 'Versicherung' is the general term for an insurance contract, or also for the company that pays in the event of damage or loss. This can be, for example, health insurance, car insurance, or household contents insurance. In this context, 'Kasse' usually means 'Krankenkasse' for short. So the word is narrower and often colloquial. Learners may confuse the words because people often talk about both when discussing medical costs. In practice: for health, people often say 'die Kasse'; for contracts and other risks, 'Versicherung' is more precise.
Kasse
Die Kasse übernimmt die Kosten für diese Untersuchung.
The health insurer covers the costs of this examination.
Versicherung
Nach dem Unfall hat die Versicherung den Schaden am Auto bezahlt.
After the accident, the insurance company paid for the damage to the car.
In real life
Loading video examples...