German Phrase
Gibt's 'ne SB-Kasse?
Meaning
Literally: "Is there a self‑service checkout?" The speaker is asking whether the store offers a self‑checkout lane where customers can scan and pay their items without a cashier.
When to use
Use this phrase in supermarkets, hypermarkets, or any retail environment that might have a self‑service checkout. It’s perfect when you’re in a hurry or prefer to avoid a line at the regular cash register.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Gibt's'neSB-Kasse?
Gibt's = Gibt es
The contraction "Gibt's" drops the "es" and adds an apostrophe, a common spoken shortcut for "Gibt es" (is there).
'ne = eine (colloquial)
"'ne" is the spoken short form of the indefinite article "eine"; it is informal and usually appears in everyday conversation.
SB‑Kasse (Abbreviation)
SB‑Kasse stands for "Selbstbedienungskasse" (self‑service checkout). German often shortens compound nouns with initials.
Question mark & intonation
In spoken German the rising intonation signals a yes/no question; the written "?" mirrors that.
🗨In Conversation
Gibt's 'ne SB-Kasse?
Is there a self‑service checkout?
Ja, gleich dort drüben neben den Regalen.
Yes, right over there next to the aisles.
✕Common Mistakes
Gibt's ne SB-Kasse?
Missing the apostrophe before "ne"; the colloquial article must be written as "'ne" to show the dropped "e" from "eine".
Gibt es 'ne SB-Kasse?
Mixing the full form "Gibt es" with the colloquial "'ne" sounds inconsistent; either keep both formal or both informal.
Gibt's 'ne SB Kasse?
The abbreviation should be hyphenated (SB‑Kasse); without the hyphen it looks like two separate words.
↔Alternatives
Gibt es eine Selbstbedienungskasse?
Is there a self‑service checkout?
Gibt es eine SB‑Kasse?
Is there a self‑service checkout?
Kann ich an der SB‑Kasse bezahlen?
Can I pay at the self‑service checkout?
Cultural Tip
Self‑service checkouts are common in German supermarkets, especially in larger chains like REWE, EDEKA, or Lidl. The phrase uses very informal language ('ne) and should be reserved for casual conversation with store staff or fellow shoppers. In a formal setting (e.g., speaking to a manager), use the full form "Gibt es eine Selbstbedienungskasse?". Also note that the hyphen in "SB‑Kasse" is standard; writing "SB Kasse" without it looks like a typo.