Spanish Phrase
La caja de autopago está por allí.
Meaning
The sentence tells someone that the self‑service checkout (often found in supermarkets) is located over there, a short distance away from the current spot.
When to use
Use this phrase when you need to point a customer, friend, or colleague to the self‑checkout area in a store, airport, or any venue that offers automated payment stations.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Lacajadeautopagoestáporallí
Definite article (La)
La is the feminine singular definite article, used before feminine nouns like caja.
Noun + de + noun (caja de autopago)
The construction 'caja de autopago' uses 'de' to link two nouns, meaning 'self‑service checkout'.
Estar for location (está)
Use estar, not ser, to talk about where something is physically located.
Por allí (approximate location)
Por allí indicates a location that is nearby but not pinpointed, similar to 'over there'.
Allí (adverb of place)
Allí means 'there', referring to a place away from both speaker and listener.
🗨In Conversation
¿Dónde está la caja de autopago?
Where is the self‑service checkout?
La caja de autopago está por allí.
The self‑service checkout is over there.
✕Common Mistakes
La caja de autopago es por allí.
Use estar (está) for physical location, not ser (es).
La caja de autopago está aquí.
Aquí means 'here'; the checkout is not at the speaker's position.
La caja de autopago está por aquí.
Por aquí points to a location close to the speaker, not the intended 'over there'.
↔Alternatives
La caja de autoservicio está allí.
The self‑service checkout is there.
El autómata de pago está por allí.
The payment kiosk is over there.
La zona de autopago está por allí.
The self‑checkout area is over there.
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish‑speaking countries, supermarkets and hypermarkets have a 'caja de autopago' or 'caja de autoservicio'. Native speakers often use 'por allí' to give a gentle, non‑exact direction, especially in busy stores where the exact spot may be moving. Avoid using 'aquí' (here) unless the checkout is right next to you.