Learn Hardcore Russian: Я стою у кассы. - I am standing at the cash desk.

Кассы is the genitive singular form of касса. The preposition у always governs the genitive case when indicating proximity, so у кассы literally means “by the checkout/register.”

What does the preposition у mean in this sentence?

Here у means “by” or “at” in the sense of standing next to something. It does not imply movement; it simply locates the subject near the cash desk.

How do you pronounce Я стою у кассы, and where are the stresses?

Pronounce it approximately as “ya sta-YU oo KAH-ssy.” The stress falls on the -ю in стою́ and on the first А in ка́ссы.

Why is the verb стоя́ть used in the present tense? Does it express an ongoing action like “I am standing”?

Yes. In Russian the simple present tense of стоя́ть inherently expresses a continuous or ongoing action, just as English uses the present continuous for “I am standing.” There is no separate progressive form.

Could you say Я стою на кассе instead of Я стою у кассы? What would that imply?

Saying на кассе (“on/at the cash desk”) suggests you are physically behind the register—typically meaning you’re the cashier. У кассы means you are next to or by the register, as a customer would be.

Is it acceptable to say У кассы я стою instead of Я стою у кассы? Does the focus change?

Yes. Russian word order is flexible. Starting with У кассы places stronger emphasis on the location (“It’s at the checkout that I’m standing”) but the core meaning remains the same.

What’s the difference between касса and кассир?

Касса is the cash register or checkout counter. Кассир is the person who operates the cash register—the cashier.

How would you say “I am standing in line at the checkout” more fully in Russian?

You can say Я стою в очереди у кассы, literally “I am standing in a queue by the checkout.”