En 15 secondes
- Presenting your passport to an official for inspection.
- Uses the separable verb 'vorzeigen' for formal showing.
- Essential for travel, banking, and official administrative tasks.
Signification
This phrase describes the act of presenting your passport to an official. It is what you do at borders, airports, or banks to prove who you are.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6At the airport check-in
Bitte zeigen Sie Ihren Pass am Schalter vor.
Please show your passport at the counter.
Opening a bank account
Ich muss meinen Pass vorzeigen, um das Konto zu eröffnen.
I must show my passport to open the account.
Texting a friend about a lost ID
Ich konnte mein Paket nicht abholen, weil ich den Pass nicht vorzeigen konnte.
I couldn't pick up my package because I couldn't show my passport.
Contexte culturel
Germany has a mandatory identification law (Ausweispflicht). You don't have to carry your passport, but you must own one or an ID card. Within the Schengen Area, you rarely have to 'den Pass vorzeigen' at land borders, but you should still carry it. Germans take 'vorzeigen' seriously. Ensure your passport is valid and not damaged, as officials can be very strict. Video-Ident is a modern way to 'den Pass vorzeigen' for online banking, where you show your passport to a webcam.
Use 'vorzeigen' for respect
Using 'vorzeigen' instead of 'zeigen' with an official shows you have a high level of German and respect the formality of the situation.
Accusative Case
Always remember 'den Pass' or 'meinen Pass'. Using the nominative 'der Pass' here is a very common A2 mistake.
En 15 secondes
- Presenting your passport to an official for inspection.
- Uses the separable verb 'vorzeigen' for formal showing.
- Essential for travel, banking, and official administrative tasks.
What It Means
den Pass vorzeigen is a very specific way to say 'show your passport.' The verb vorzeigen implies a formal presentation. You aren't just pointing at it. You are handing it over for inspection. It is a common collocation in travel and administrative settings.
How To Use It
Remember that vorzeigen is a separable verb. This means the vor part often jumps to the end of the sentence. For example, you would say: Ich zeige meinen Pass vor. In a question, it looks like this: Können Sie bitte Ihren Pass vorzeigen? It feels very official and polite. Use it whenever an authority figure is involved.
When To Use It
You will hear this most at the airport. Use it at the check-in desk or security. It is also essential at the bank. If you are checking into a hotel in Germany, they might ask for it too. Even if you are just picking up a package at the post office, you might need to den Pass vorzeigen. It is the standard phrase for 'ID check' moments.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use vorzeigen if you are just showing a photo to a friend. If you want to show your friend your cool new passport cover, use zeigen. vorzeigen is too formal for casual sharing. It sounds like you are pretending to be a border guard! Also, don't use it for things that aren't documents. You wouldn't vorzeigen your new shoes.
Cultural Background
Germany takes documentation very seriously. The German passport is one of the most powerful in the world. People are used to carrying ID everywhere. While the Schengen Area makes travel easy, officials still expect quick compliance. Being ready to den Pass vorzeigen shows you are prepared and respectful of the rules. It is part of the 'Ordnung' (order) that Germans value.
Common Variations
You can swap Pass for other documents. den Ausweis vorzeigen means to show your ID card. die Fahrkarte vorzeigen is what you do for a train conductor. If you are driving, you might need to den Führerschein vorzeigen (show your driver's license). The structure remains the same for all official papers. It is a very handy pattern to memorize.
Notes d'usage
The phrase is neutral but leans towards formal contexts because it involves authorities. Always remember the separable prefix 'vor' when conjugating the verb in the present tense.
Use 'vorzeigen' for respect
Using 'vorzeigen' instead of 'zeigen' with an official shows you have a high level of German and respect the formality of the situation.
Accusative Case
Always remember 'den Pass' or 'meinen Pass'. Using the nominative 'der Pass' here is a very common A2 mistake.
The 'Sie' factor
Always use 'Sie' when someone asks you to 'den Pass vorzeigen'. It's a formal interaction.
Exemples
6Bitte zeigen Sie Ihren Pass am Schalter vor.
Please show your passport at the counter.
A standard request from airline staff.
Ich muss meinen Pass vorzeigen, um das Konto zu eröffnen.
I must show my passport to open the account.
Required for identity verification in financial matters.
Ich konnte mein Paket nicht abholen, weil ich den Pass nicht vorzeigen konnte.
I couldn't pick up my package because I couldn't show my passport.
Explaining a frustrating administrative hurdle.
Der Hund wollte auch seinen Pass vorzeigen!
The dog wanted to show his passport too!
Joking about pet passports at the border.
Meine Hände haben gezittert, als ich den Pass vorzeigen musste.
My hands were shaking when I had to show my passport.
Expressing anxiety during an official check.
Können Sie bitte Ihren Pass oder Ausweis vorzeigen?
Can you please show your passport or ID?
A direct request from law enforcement.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the separable verb 'vorzeigen'.
Ich _______ an der Grenze meinen Pass _______.
In the present tense, 'vorzeigen' splits, and 'vor' goes to the end.
Which sentence is correct?
A official asks you for your passport. What does he say?
'Pass' is masculine accusative (Ihren) and the verb is separable.
Match the German phrase with its English context.
Match the following:
'Vorzeigen' specifically means to show for inspection.
Complete the dialogue.
Beamter: 'Guten Tag. Ihren Pass, bitte.' Reisender: 'Guten Tag. Hier, ich _______ ihn Ihnen _______.'
The traveler is performing the action now.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesIch _______ an der Grenze meinen Pass _______.
In the present tense, 'vorzeigen' splits, and 'vor' goes to the end.
A official asks you for your passport. What does he say?
'Pass' is masculine accusative (Ihren) and the verb is separable.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
'Vorzeigen' specifically means to show for inspection.
Beamter: 'Guten Tag. Ihren Pass, bitte.' Reisender: 'Guten Tag. Hier, ich _______ ihn Ihnen _______.'
The traveler is performing the action now.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsYes, that is perfectly fine and natural. 'Den Pass vorzeigen' is the verb for the action, but in the moment, 'Hier ist mein Pass' is very common.
No, you can 'vorzeigen' any official document: 'das {das|n} Ticket vorzeigen', 'den {der|m} Ausweis vorzeigen', 'die {die|f} Einladung vorzeigen'.
'Vorweisen' is even more formal and often used in written laws or by very high-level officials. For daily life, 'vorzeigen' is better.
No, use 'zeigen'. 'Vorzeigen' sounds too formal for friends.
Expressions liées
sich ausweisen
similarto identify oneself
den {der|m} Ausweis zeigen
similarto show the ID
den {der|m} Pass kontrollieren
contrastto check the passport
einen {der|m} Pass ausstellen
builds onto issue a passport
