shōuyíntái: 收银台 - Cashier, Checkout Counter, Register

• Keywords: shouyintai, 收银台, cashier in Chinese, checkout in Chinese, pay in Chinese, where to pay in Chinese, Chinese register, checkout counter, supermarket in Chinese, WeChat Pay, Alipay
• Summary: “收银台 (shōuyíntái)” is the essential Chinese word for the checkout counter, cash register, or cashier's desk where you pay for goods. Whether you're in a supermarket, restaurant, or department store in China, knowing “shōuyíntái” is crucial for basic transactions. This page breaks down its meaning, cultural context—including the modern shift to mobile payments—and provides practical examples to help you navigate any shopping situation in China.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): shōuyíntái
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: The physical place in a store or business where customers pay; the checkout counter or cash register.
• In a Nutshell: “收银台 (shōuyíntái)” is a very direct and functional term. It refers to the specific counter or desk you physically go to in order to complete a purchase. While in English we might use “cashier” to refer to both the person and the place, in Chinese, “shōuyíntái” is strictly the place. Think of it as the final destination of your shopping trip before you can leave with your items.

• 收 (shōu): To receive, to collect, or to accept. This character depicts the action of gathering or taking something in. In this context, it means receiving payment.
• 银 (yín): Silver. Historically, silver (along with gold) was a primary form of currency in China (e.g., silver taels). Because of this history, “银” is strongly associated with money and banking. For example, a bank is a “银行 (yínháng),” or “silver house.”
• 台 (tái): A platform, stage, or counter. This character refers to a raised flat surface, like a desk or a stage.

When combined, “收银台 (shōuyíntái)” literally translates to “receive-money-platform,” a perfect and logical description of a checkout counter.

While the concept of a checkout counter is universal, the modern Chinese “收银台” has a unique cultural significance tied to the country's technological leapfrogging. In most Western countries, the checkout counter is dominated by cash and credit/debit card terminals. In China, the “收银台” is the epicenter of the mobile payment revolution. Instead of a bulky credit card machine, you will almost always see a small QR code scanner or a printed QR code stand for customers to scan with their phones using apps like WeChat Pay (微信支付) or Alipay (支付宝). This makes the experience at a Chinese “收银台” fundamentally different. The common interaction isn't swiping a card but holding up a phone. This shift reflects a broader cultural value in China: a rapid embrace of practical technology that streamlines daily life. For a visitor, understanding that the “收银台” is now a digital-first space is key to a smooth experience. The physical counter remains, but the transaction itself has been transformed.

“收银台” is a high-frequency, neutral term used in almost any commercial setting. You'll hear and use it in supermarkets (超市), convenience stores (便利店), restaurants (饭馆), and malls (商场). It's most often used in questions to find where to pay or as a landmark to meet someone. The connotation is purely functional and it's used across all levels of formality. A recent development is the rise of the 自助收银台 (zìzhù shōuyíntái), or “self-service checkout,” which are becoming increasingly common in larger supermarkets and even some convenience stores.

• Example 1:
  • 请问，收银台在哪儿？
  • Pinyin: Qǐngwèn, shōuyíntái zài nǎr?
  • English: Excuse me, where is the checkout counter?
  • Analysis: This is the most important phrase to know. “请问 (qǐngwèn)” makes it polite, and “在哪儿 (zài nǎr)” is the standard way to ask “where is…?”.
• Example 2:
  • 收银台就在前面，您直走就看到了。
  • Pinyin: Shōuyíntái jiù zài qiánmiàn, nín zhí zǒu jiù kàn dào le.
  • English: The checkout is just up ahead, you'll see it if you walk straight.
  • Analysis: A common response you might hear. “就在 (jiù zài)” emphasizes the location “right at.” “您 (nín)” is the polite form of “you.”
• Example 3:
  • 选好东西以后，请到收银台排队。
  • Pinyin: Xuǎn hǎo dōngxi yǐhòu, qǐng dào shōuyíntái páiduì.
  • English: After you have chosen your items, please go to the checkout counter to line up.
  • Analysis: This sentence links several key actions. “选好 (xuǎn hǎo)” means “to finish choosing,” and “排队 (páiduì)” means “to queue up,” a very common activity at the 收银台.
• Example 4:
  • 我在收银台旁边等你。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zài shōuyíntái pángbiān děng nǐ.
  • English: I'll wait for you next to the checkout counter.
  • Analysis: This shows how “收银台” can be used as a location marker or meeting point.
• Example 5:
  • 今天的收银台人特别多。
  • Pinyin: Jīntiān de shōuyíntái rén tèbié duō.
  • English: There are so many people at the checkout counter today.
  • Analysis: “的 (de)” is used here to connect the noun “收银台” with its state, “人特别多 (rén tèbié duō)” - people are especially numerous.
• Example 6:
  • 服务员，买单！我们去收银台付钱。
  • Pinyin: Fúwùyuán, mǎidān! Wǒmen qù shōuyíntái fùqián.
  • English: Waiter, the bill! We'll go to the front desk to pay.
  • Analysis: In many Chinese restaurants, you don't pay at the table. You get the bill (or just know your table number) and go to a central “收银台” to pay. “买单 (mǎidān)” is a common way to ask for the bill.
• Example 7:
  • 这个超市有自助收银台，很方便。
  • Pinyin: Zhège chāoshì yǒu zìzhù shōuyíntái, hěn fāngbiàn.
  • English: This supermarket has self-service checkouts, which is very convenient.
  • Analysis: Highlights the modern term “自助 (zìzhù)” meaning self-service.
• Example 8:
  • 请把您的手机二维码对准收银台的扫描器。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng bǎ nín de shǒujī èrwéimǎ duìzhǔn shōuyíntái de sǎomiáoyí.
  • English: Please aim your phone's QR code at the scanner on the checkout counter.
  • Analysis: A very practical sentence for modern China. It uses the “把 (bǎ)” structure to talk about manipulating an object (the QR code). “扫描器 (sǎomiáoyí)” is the scanner.
• Example 9:
  • 收银台的那个女孩是新来的。
  • Pinyin: Shōuyíntái de nàge nǚhái shì xīn lái de.
  • English: That girl at the checkout counter is new here.
  • Analysis: Here, “收银台的 (shōuyíntái de)” acts as a descriptor, meaning “the one at the checkout counter.” It modifies “那个女孩 (nàge nǚhái).” This shows how it describes a location, not a person.
• Example 10:
  • 不好意思，这个收银台只收现金。
  • Pinyin: Bù hǎoyìsi, zhège shōuyíntái zhǐ shōu xiànjīn.
  • English: I'm sorry, this checkout counter only accepts cash.
  • Analysis: While rare, this can happen. “只收 (zhǐ shōu)” means “only accepts,” and “现金 (xiànjīn)” means cash. It's a useful phrase to recognize.

• Mistake 1: Confusing the Place with the Person.
  • A common mistake for English speakers is to use “收银台” to refer to the cashier (the person). “收银台” is ONLY the physical counter/place. The person is the 收银员 (shōuyínyuán).
  • Incorrect: `那个收银台很友好。` (Nàge shōuyíntái hěn yǒuhǎo.) → “That checkout counter is very friendly.” (This is illogical.)
  • Correct: `那个收银员很友好。` (Nàge shōuyínyuán hěn yǒuhǎo.) → “That cashier is very friendly.”
• Mistake 2: Confusing the Noun (Place) with the Verb (Action).
  • “收银台” is a noun. The action of paying the bill or checking out is a verb, most commonly 结账 (jiézhàng) or the more colloquial 买单 (mǎidān). You go to the 收银台 to do the 结账.
  • Incorrect: `我要收银台。` (Wǒ yào shōuyíntái.) → This sounds like “I want a checkout counter.”
  • Correct: `我要结账。` (Wǒ yào jiézhàng.) → “I want to pay the bill.”
  • Correct: `我要去收银台结账。` (Wǒ yào qù shōuyíntái jiézhàng.) → “I need to go to the checkout counter to pay.”

• 收银员 (shōuyínyuán) - The cashier; the person who works at the 收银台.
• 结账 (jiézhàng) - The primary verb for “to settle the bill” or “to check out.” This is the action you perform at the 收银台.
• 买单 (mǎidān) - A more colloquial verb, especially in restaurants, for “to pay the bill.” Literally “buy the bill.”
• 付钱 (fùqián) - The general verb “to pay money.” Can be used in almost any context.
• 二维码 (èrwéimǎ) - QR Code. Essential for the mobile payment methods used at nearly every 收银台 in China.
• 支付宝 (Zhīfùbǎo) - Alipay, one of the two dominant mobile payment platforms in China.
• 微信支付 (Wēixìn Zhīfù) - WeChat Pay, the other major mobile payment platform.
• 排队 (páiduì) - To line up, to queue. What you do while waiting for the 收银台.
• 超市 (chāoshì) - Supermarket. A place where you will always find a 收银台.
• 自助收银台 (zìzhù shōuyíntái) - Self-service checkout counter, a modern variation.