Cajero in English: Meaning, Best Translations, and Real-Life Examples

Author: Ilyas Baba

TL;DR

Cajero in English can mean cashier, bank teller, or ATM, depending on context.
For a person taking payments in a store, use cashier.
For a person serving customers at a bank, use bank teller.
For the machine that gives cash, use ATM, cash machine, or cashpoint.

The quick answer: what does “cajero” mean in English?

The Spanish word cajero has several English translations. The correct one depends on whether the speaker is talking about a person or a machine.

The most common translations are:

Spanish	Best English translation	Typical context
cajero	cashier	A person who takes payments in a shop, restaurant, supermarket, or store
cajero	bank teller	A person who helps customers inside a bank
cajero automático	ATM	A machine used to withdraw cash
cajero automático	cash machine	Common in British English
cajero automático	cashpoint	Common in British English, especially informal use

So, the best translation of cajero in English is usually cashier, but not always. If the sentence is about a bank employee, bank teller is more natural. If the sentence is about a machine, ATM is usually the clearest translation, especially in American English.

Examples:

• El cajero me dio el recibo.
  The cashier gave me the receipt.

• El cajero del banco fue muy amable.
  The bank teller was very helpful.

• Saqué dinero del cajero.
  I withdrew money from the ATM.

The key is context. Spanish often uses cajero for both a person and, in shortened everyday speech, an ATM. English usually separates these meanings more clearly.

“Cajero” as “cashier”

In everyday Spanish, cajero often means a person who works at a checkout and receives payments. In this situation, the best English translation is cashier.

A cashier works in places such as:

• supermarkets
• clothing stores
• convenience stores
• restaurants
• cafés
• cinemas
• gas stations
• pharmacies

Spanish examples with English translations:

• El cajero escaneó los productos.
  The cashier scanned the items.

• Pagué al cajero con tarjeta.
  I paid the cashier by card.

• El cajero me preguntó si quería una bolsa.
  The cashier asked me if I wanted a bag.

• Hay una fila larga para el cajero.
  There is a long line for the cashier.

In English, cashier is the safest translation when the person is working at a register or checkout.

Cashier vs checkout operator

In British English, a person working at a supermarket checkout may also be called a checkout operator or checkout assistant. However, cashier is widely understood in both American and British English.

Examples:

• La cajera del supermercado fue rápida.
  The supermarket cashier was fast.

• La cajera del supermercado fue rápida.
  The checkout assistant was fast.

Both are correct. Cashier is more universal, while checkout assistant sounds more British and job-title specific.

“Cajero” as “bank teller”

When cajero refers to a bank employee, cashier may not be the most natural translation. In English, the person who serves customers at a bank counter is usually called a bank teller.

Examples:

• El cajero del banco verificó mi identificación.
  The bank teller checked my ID.

• Necesito hablar con un cajero para depositar este cheque.
  I need to speak with a bank teller to deposit this check.

• La cajera del banco me ayudó con la transferencia.
  The bank teller helped me with the transfer.

In some countries and banking contexts, cashier can still be used for a bank employee, especially in formal job titles. However, for everyday English, bank teller is more specific and more natural.

Bank teller vs cashier

A cashier usually handles payments in a store. A bank teller handles financial transactions in a bank.

Compare:

• The cashier gave me change.
  This sounds like a shop, supermarket, café, or store.

• The bank teller processed my deposit.
  This clearly sounds like a bank.

For learners translating from Spanish to English, this distinction matters because cajero can cover both meanings in Spanish, while English often chooses a more precise word.

“Cajero automático” as “ATM”

The phrase cajero automático means ATM in English. ATM stands for automated teller machine. In everyday American English, ATM is the standard word.

Examples:

• Necesito encontrar un cajero automático.
  I need to find an ATM.

• El cajero automático no funciona.
  The ATM is not working.

• Saqué 100 euros del cajero automático.
  I withdrew 100 euros from the ATM.

• ¿Hay un cajero cerca?
  Is there an ATM nearby?

That last example is important. In Spanish, people often shorten cajero automático to cajero when context makes it clear that they mean the machine. In English, cashier would be wrong in that sentence if the speaker means a machine.

Incorrect translation:

• I took money out of the cashier.

Correct translation:

• I took money out of the ATM.
• I withdrew money from the ATM.

British English: cash machine and cashpoint

In British English, cash machine is very common for cajero automático. Another word is cashpoint, which is informal and widely understood in the UK.

Examples:

• Voy al cajero a sacar dinero.
  I’m going to the cash machine to withdraw money.

• ¿Dónde está el cajero más cercano?
  Where is the nearest cashpoint?

• El cajero se tragó mi tarjeta.
  The cash machine swallowed my card.

In American English, ATM is more common than cash machine. In British English, both ATM and cash machine are understood, but cash machine often sounds more natural in casual speech.

The feminine form: “cajera” in English

Spanish uses gendered forms:

• cajero, male cashier, male bank teller, or ATM in shortened form
• cajera, female cashier or female bank teller

English job nouns are usually not gendered. Both cajero and cajera can be translated as cashier or bank teller, depending on context.

Examples:

• La cajera fue muy amable.
  The cashier was very kind.

• El cajero fue muy amable.
  The cashier was very kind.

• La cajera del banco llamó al gerente.
  The bank teller called the manager.

• El cajero del banco llamó al gerente.
  The bank teller called the manager.

English does not normally change the job title based on gender. The person’s gender can be shown with pronouns if necessary, but the job word remains the same.

Common phrases with “cajero” and their English translations

The word cajero appears in many useful phrases. The right translation depends on the exact phrase.

Cajero automático

English: ATM, cash machine, cashpoint

• El cajero automático está fuera de servicio.
  The ATM is out of service.

• Usé el cajero automático para retirar dinero.
  I used the ATM to withdraw money.

Cajero del banco

English: bank teller

• El cajero del banco me pidió mi pasaporte.
  The bank teller asked me for my passport.

Cajero de supermercado

English: supermarket cashier, checkout assistant

• El cajero de supermercado escaneó el código de barras.
  The supermarket cashier scanned the barcode.

Cajero de tienda

English: store cashier, shop cashier

• El cajero de la tienda me dio el cambio.
  The store cashier gave me the change.

Ir al cajero

English: go to the ATM, go to the cash machine

• Voy al cajero a sacar dinero.
  I’m going to the ATM to withdraw cash.

This phrase almost always refers to the machine, not a person.

Sacar dinero del cajero

English: withdraw money from the ATM, take money out of the cash machine

• Necesito sacar dinero del cajero.
  I need to withdraw money from the ATM.

In casual English, people may say take out money, but withdraw money is more precise.

“Cajero” in travel situations

Travelers often need the word cajero when asking for cash, paying in shops, or dealing with bank problems. Here are practical translations for common travel situations.

Asking where an ATM is

Spanish:

• ¿Dónde hay un cajero?
• ¿Dónde está el cajero más cercano?

English:

• Where is there an ATM?
• Where is the nearest ATM?
• Where is the nearest cash machine?

The most natural option in American English is Where is the nearest ATM?

Saying an ATM does not work

Spanish:

• El cajero no funciona.
• El cajero está fuera de servicio.

English:

• The ATM is not working.
• The ATM is out of service.
• The cash machine is out of order.

Saying the ATM kept the card

Spanish:

• El cajero se tragó mi tarjeta.

English:

• The ATM swallowed my card.
• The cash machine swallowed my card.

This phrase sounds strange if translated literally word for word, but swallowed my card is natural English.

Talking to a cashier in a store

Spanish:

• La cajera me cobró dos veces.
• El cajero me dio mal el cambio.

English:

• The cashier charged me twice.
• The cashier gave me the wrong change.

Here, cashier is correct because the sentence is about a person at a store.

“Cajero” in job titles and resumes

When translating cajero for a resume, job application, or professional profile, the best English term depends on the workplace.

If the person worked in a store, use:

• Cashier
• Retail cashier
• Store cashier
• Checkout assistant, more common in British English

If the person worked in a bank, use:

• Bank teller
• Bank cashier, possible in some countries or formal settings
• Customer service representative, if the role included broader banking support

Examples:

• Cajero en supermercado
  Supermarket cashier

• Cajera en tienda de ropa
  Retail cashier at a clothing store

• Cajero bancario
  Bank teller

• Cajera con experiencia en atención al cliente
  Cashier with customer service experience

A resume should use the title that matches the tasks, not only the dictionary translation. If the role included scanning items, processing card payments, giving change, and helping customers at checkout, cashier is appropriate. If the role involved deposits, withdrawals, account inquiries, and bank transactions, bank teller is better.

Common mistakes when translating “cajero in English”

Mistake 1: Always translating “cajero” as “cashier”

This is the most common error. Cashier is correct for a person at a checkout, but not for an ATM.

Wrong:

• I need to go to the cashier to withdraw money.

Correct:

• I need to go to the ATM to withdraw money.

Mistake 2: Translating “cajero automático” as “automatic cashier”

The phrase automatic cashier is not natural English for the machine. The correct word is ATM.

Wrong:

• There is an automatic cashier outside the bank.

Correct:

• There is an ATM outside the bank.

Mistake 3: Using “cash register” for the person

A cash register is the machine or system used to process payments. It is not the person.

Wrong:

• The cash register helped me.

Correct:

• The cashier helped me.

However, this sentence is correct:

• The cashier opened the cash register.

Mistake 4: Confusing “cashier” and “bank teller”

Both can handle money, but they work in different places.

• A cashier works in a shop, restaurant, or retail environment.
• A bank teller works in a bank.

Spanish speakers should look for clues such as banco, supermercado, tienda, pagar, depositar, retirar, and tarjeta.

Mistake 5: Translating every phrase literally

Some phrases need natural English, not word-for-word translation.

Spanish:

• El cajero se tragó mi tarjeta.

Natural English:

• The ATM swallowed my card.

Literal translation:

• The cashier ate my card.

The literal version is incorrect unless the sentence is meant as a joke.

Grammar notes: “el cajero,” “la cajera,” and plural forms

Spanish nouns change for gender and number:

Spanish	English
el cajero	the cashier, the bank teller, the ATM
la cajera	the cashier, the bank teller
los cajeros	the cashiers, the bank tellers, the ATMs
las cajeras	the cashiers, the bank tellers

English does not usually mark job titles for gender, so cajero and cajera often become the same word in English.

Examples:

• Los cajeros estaban ocupados.
  The cashiers were busy.

• Los cajeros automáticos estaban fuera de servicio.
  The ATMs were out of service.

• Las cajeras fueron muy eficientes.
  The cashiers were very efficient.

The phrase cajeros automáticos clearly means ATMs, not people.

Learners studying Spanish modal verbs may also notice phrases on ATM screens, such as Debe introducir su PIN, meaning You must enter your PIN. For a deeper look at that verb form, see debe in english. For plural instructions such as Deben esperar, the related guide deben in english explains how the meaning changes.

“Cajero” in Latin America and Spain

The meaning of cajero is broadly similar across Spanish-speaking countries, but usage can vary slightly.

In many countries, cajero automático is the full formal phrase for ATM. In daily speech, people often shorten it to cajero.

Common phrases include:

• Voy al cajero.
  I’m going to the ATM.

• Necesito un cajero.
  I need an ATM.

• No hay cajeros cerca.
  There are no ATMs nearby.

In a store, cajero or cajera usually means the person at the checkout.

• Pregúntale a la cajera.
  Ask the cashier.

In a bank, cajero may mean a bank employee, but context is essential.

• El cajero del banco me atendió.
  The bank teller helped me.

The phrase del banco signals that the translation should probably be bank teller, not general cashier.

Pronunciation: how to say “cajero”

The Spanish word cajero is pronounced approximately:

kah-HEH-roh

The stress is on the second syllable: je.

A rough English-friendly breakdown:

• ca sounds like ka
• je sounds like heh, with a Spanish j sound
• ro sounds like roh

The Spanish j is not the same as the English j in job. It is closer to a strong h sound, especially in many Latin American accents. In parts of Spain, it may sound rougher, produced farther back in the throat.

So cajero does not sound like ka-JAIR-oh in standard Spanish. A better approximation is ka-HEH-ro.

Example sentences by meaning

Cajero as cashier

• El cajero me dio el recibo.
  The cashier gave me the receipt.

• La cajera me cobró diez dólares.
  The cashier charged me ten dollars.

• El cajero está en la caja número tres.
  The cashier is at checkout number three.

• La cajera aceptó mi cupón.
  The cashier accepted my coupon.

Cajero as bank teller

• El cajero revisó mi cuenta.
  The bank teller checked my account.

• La cajera del banco procesó el depósito.
  The bank teller processed the deposit.

• Necesito hablar con un cajero.
  I need to speak with a bank teller.

Cajero as ATM

• El cajero no acepta mi tarjeta.
  The ATM does not accept my card.

• Hay un cajero dentro del centro comercial.
  There is an ATM inside the mall.

• Retiré dinero del cajero.
  I withdrew money from the ATM.

• El cajero cobra comisión.
  The ATM charges a fee.

How to choose the right English word

A simple decision rule helps:

1. Is cajero a person in a shop, supermarket, or restaurant?
   Use cashier.

2. Is cajero a person in a bank?
   Use bank teller.

3. Is cajero a machine for withdrawing cash?
   Use ATM in American English, and cash machine or cashpoint in British English.

4. Is the sentence about a job title?
   Use cashier for retail and bank teller for banking.

5. Is the phrase cajero automático?
   Use ATM.

This approach avoids most translation mistakes and makes the English sound natural.

FAQ: “cajero in English”

1. What is the main meaning of “cajero” in English?

The main meaning of cajero in English is cashier when it refers to a person working at a checkout. However, it can also mean bank teller in a bank or ATM when it refers to a machine.

2. Does “cajero” mean ATM?

Yes, cajero can mean ATM when it is short for cajero automático. For example, Voy al cajero usually means I’m going to the ATM, not I’m going to the cashier.

3. What is “cajera” in English?

Cajera is usually cashier in English. If the woman works at a bank counter, bank teller may be more accurate. English normally uses the same job title for men and women.

4. What is the difference between “cashier” and “bank teller”?

A cashier usually works in a store, supermarket, restaurant, or retail business. A bank teller works in a bank and helps with deposits, withdrawals, account questions, and other banking transactions.

5. Is “automatic cashier” correct for “cajero automático”?

No. Automatic cashier is not the normal English translation. The correct translation is ATM. In British English, cash machine and cashpoint are also common.

Final takeaway

Cajero in English is not a one-word answer every time. The most common translation is cashier, but context decides the correct meaning. In a shop, cajero means cashier. In a bank, it often means bank teller. When it refers to a machine, especially cajero automático, the right translation is ATM, cash machine, or cashpoint.

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