Is cash desk British English or American English?

It is more common in British English. American English usually says checkout or cashier's station.

What is the difference between cash desk and cash register?

A cash desk is the place where you pay. A cash register is the machine used there.

Can I use cash desk in a shop conversation?

Yes, but it sounds more natural in British English and in formal shop signs.

← Dictionary

cash-desk

/ˈkæʃ desk/

IELTSAcademic

noun

A cash desk is the place in a shop where you pay for goods. It is usually a counter or small station with a cash register.

Please pay at the cash desk.
The cash desk is near the exit.
She stood by the cash desk and waited.

Adinary Nuance

A cash desk is the physical place where payment happens. It is closer to a checkout or till than to cash register, which can mean the machine itself. In everyday American English, people usually say checkout; in British English, cash desk is more common in shops.

In other languages

Vietnamese: quầy thu ngân
Spanish: caja
Chinese: 收银台
Japanese: レジ
Korean: 계산대

Etymology

Cash desk is a compound of cash and desk. It has been used in English for a long time, especially in British and European shop language.

Common phrases

at the cash deskgo to the cash deskqueue at the cash deskcash desk area

Synonyms

checkout till cashier's desk

Related words

cash register counter checkout cashier

Frequently asked questions

Is cash desk British English or American English?: It is more common in British English. American English usually says checkout or cashier's station.
What is the difference between cash desk and cash register?: A cash desk is the place where you pay. A cash register is the machine used there.
Can I use cash desk in a shop conversation?: Yes, but it sounds more natural in British English and in formal shop signs.