Tricky Translations: Kasse

Elisa Moolecherry: This is Elisa Moolecherry for Business Spotlight, Europe’s leading magazine for learners of business English. Welcome to our podcast for the 10th of January 2012.

Elisa Moolecherry: How do you say the German word Kasse in English? It has several meanings in German and is translated into English using different words. First, we’ll give you some help with the tricky translations of the word Kasse. Then, you’ll hear a sentence to translate it into English. Ready?

When used to refer to the area in a shop where you pay, the German word Kasse is “checkout”. Now, translate the following sentence:

German: Ich werde an der Kasse auf dich warten.
English: I’ll wait for you at the checkout.

The German word Kasse can refer to the machine that adds up the prices of things you buy. In English you say “cash register” or, in the UK, “till”. Translate this:

German: Die meisten Kassen funktionieren nicht ohne Strom.
English: Most tills do not work without electricity.

The German Kasse where you buy tickets for the theatre is translated with “box office” in English. Translate this sentence:

German: Sie können Ihre Karten an der Kasse abholen.
English: You can pick up your tickets at the box office.

Somebody who is knapp bei Kasse, is “strapped for cash” in English. Translate this:

German: Am Monatsende ist er immer knapp bei Kasse.
English: At the end of the month he is always strapped for cash.

Finally, the German jmdn. zur Kasse bitten is translated with “ask someone to pay”. Translate the following sentence:

German: Er will den Steuerzahler zur Kasse bitten.
English: He wants the taxpayer to pay.

Elisa Moolecherry: For more help with tricky translations, turn to Business Spotlight magazine, our Audio or find exercises on our website, at www.business-spotlight.de. Join us for another podcast next Tuesday. Thanks for listening!

• Exercise: Modal translations