店員(てんいん)

てんいん
noun
store clerk, shop staff
occupationwork
1. store clerk, shop staff
A person who works in a store, helping customers and handling sales. Can refer to any retail employee.
店員(てんいん)に聞(き)いてください。
Please ask the store clerk.
店員(てんいん)さんがとても優(やさ)しかったです。
The store clerk was very kind.
さん added for politeness
店員(てんいん)として働(はたら)いています。
I work as a store clerk.
あの店(みせ)の店員(てんいん)は日本語(にほんご)と英語(えいご)が話(はな)せます。
The clerks at that store can speak Japanese and English.
店員(てんいん)さんに教(おし)えてもらったので、欲(ほ)しいものがすぐに見(み)つかりました。
The store clerk helped me, so I quickly found what I wanted.

店員(てんいん) refers to retail staff who serve customers directly. The word combines 店(みせ) (store) and 員(いん) (member/personnel).

Addressing

When speaking to or about a clerk politely, add さん: 店員(てんいん)さん. This is standard in customer interactions.

Common expressions

Related occupations

Usage

店員(てんいん) typically refers to retail workers. For restaurant staff, 店員(てんいん) works but ウェイター/ウェイトレス or スタッフ are also common.

Related Words

Related: 販売員(はんばいいん)
Related: 従業員(じゅうぎょういん)
Related: 店(みせ)
Related: レジ
Related: 店長(てんちょう) (store manager)
Compare: 銀行員(ぎんこういん) (bank employee)
basic
Added 2026.1.7 21:26 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:29
00500/00897_tenin