In 15 Seconds
- Used when showing a physical ID card or passport.
- Always reflexive: you must use 'mich', 'dich', 'sich', etc.
- Essential for banks, airports, and official government business.
Meaning
This phrase is what you use when you need to prove who you are by showing an ID card or passport. It literally means to 'identify oneself' to an official or at a security desk.
Key Examples
3 of 6At the airport security
Können Sie sich bitte ausweisen?
Can you please identify yourself?
Picking up a package
Ich muss mich ausweisen, um das Paket abzuholen.
I have to show my ID to pick up the package.
Opening a bank account
Sie müssen sich mit einem gültigen Pass ausweisen.
You must identify yourself with a valid passport.
Cultural Background
The 'Personalausweis' is a point of pride and bureaucracy. It contains a chip for digital signatures. Most Germans carry it in their wallet at all times, even though it's not strictly required by law to have it *on* you, just to *own* one. There is no national ID card. People use their driver's license to 'sich ausweisen'. This is often confusing for Germans who expect a specific 'Identity Card'. Similar to Germany, but they also have a 'Zulassungsschein' for cars which is often requested alongside the ID during traffic stops. Swiss citizens often use their 'Identitätskarte'. In multilingual regions, the request to 'sich ausweisen' might be followed by the French 's'identifier'.
The 'Mit' Rule
Always use 'mit' + Dative to say what document you are using. 'Ich weise mich mit **meinem** Pass aus.'
Don't forget 'sich'!
Without 'sich', you are talking about deporting someone. This is a major meaning change.
In 15 Seconds
- Used when showing a physical ID card or passport.
- Always reflexive: you must use 'mich', 'dich', 'sich', etc.
- Essential for banks, airports, and official government business.
What It Means
In German, sich ausweisen is the standard way to say you are showing your identification. It comes from the verb weisen which means to point or show. When you add aus, it implies bringing something out to show clearly. It is not just saying your name. It is the act of presenting a physical document like a Personalausweis (ID card). Think of it as the 'Show me your papers' moment, but usually much friendlier.
How To Use It
This is a reflexive verb, so you must use sich. You will say Ich muss mich ausweisen. The document you use is usually introduced with mit. For example, Ich weise mich mit meinem Reisepass aus. It sounds very official because it is. You won't use this when introducing yourself to a new neighbor. You use it when the law or a rule requires proof of identity. It is a strong, clear action.
When To Use It
You will hear this at the airport or when opening a bank account. Use it if a police officer asks for your ID. You might also use it at a club if the bouncer looks skeptical of your age. It is common at the post office when picking up a package. It is the go-to phrase for any 'official' identification check. Even checking into a hotel often requires you to ausweisen.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this at a party to meet people. Saying Darf ich mich ausweisen? to a stranger at a bar is very weird. They will think you are a secret agent or a bit intense. Use vorstellen for social introductions. Also, do not use it for identifying an object. You identifizieren a stolen bike, but you ausweisen yourself. It is strictly for people and their official documents.
Cultural Background
Germans take their Ausweis (ID) very seriously. Everyone over 16 must possess a valid ID card. There is even a word for the duty to have one: Ausweispflicht. Because of this, the phrase sich ausweisen is part of daily civic life. It reflects a culture that values order and clear verification. It is not seen as intrusive, but rather as a standard procedure. Carrying your ID is just what adults do here.
Common Variations
The noun form is der Ausweis. You will often hear the command Ihren Ausweis, bitte. Another variation is identifizieren, but that is more for police lineups or DNA tests. If you lose your ID, you are ausweislos. If you are at a border, you might hear Grenzkontrolle, bitte weisen Sie sich aus. It is a word that carries the weight of authority but the routine of daily life.
Usage Notes
This is a reflexive verb used in formal or administrative contexts. Be careful not to omit the reflexive pronoun, as 'ausweisen' alone can mean 'to deport' or 'to expel'.
The 'Mit' Rule
Always use 'mit' + Dative to say what document you are using. 'Ich weise mich mit **meinem** Pass aus.'
Don't forget 'sich'!
Without 'sich', you are talking about deporting someone. This is a major meaning change.
Separable Verb
Remember that 'aus' flies to the end of the sentence in the present tense!
Examples
6Können Sie sich bitte ausweisen?
Can you please identify yourself?
A standard request from border officials.
Ich muss mich ausweisen, um das Paket abzuholen.
I have to show my ID to pick up the package.
Common at the Deutsche Post.
Sie müssen sich mit einem gültigen Pass ausweisen.
You must identify yourself with a valid passport.
A strict requirement for financial services.
Ich konnte mich nicht ausweisen, weil ich meinen Geldbeutel vergessen habe!
I couldn't prove my identity because I forgot my wallet!
Using the phrase to explain a frustrating situation.
Der Türsteher wollte, dass ich mich ausweise, aber ich habe nur meine Bibliothekskarte!
The bouncer wanted me to show ID, but I only have my library card!
Humorous because a library card isn't a valid ID.
Bitte weisen Sie sich sofort aus!
Please identify yourself immediately!
A direct command in a high-pressure situation.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct reflexive pronoun and the verb form.
An der Grenze ______ ich ______ mit meinem Reisepass ______.
The subject is 'ich', so the verb is 'weise' and the reflexive pronoun is 'mich'. The prefix 'aus' goes to the end.
Which sentence is correct for a police check?
A: Ich weise den Polizisten aus. B: Ich weise mich dem Polizisten aus. C: Ich weise mich mit dem Ausweis aus.
C is the standard way to say you are identifying yourself using a document.
Complete the dialogue at the bank.
Bank: 'Guten Tag. Ich möchte Geld abheben.' - Angestellte: 'Gerne. Können Sie ______ ______ ______?'
The clerk is asking the customer (Sie) to identify themselves (sich).
Match the verb to the situation.
1. Sich vorstellen, 2. Sich ausweisen, 3. Zeigen. Situations: A. Meeting a neighbor, B. Police check, C. Showing a photo.
You introduce yourself to neighbors, identify yourself to police, and show photos.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesAn der Grenze ______ ich ______ mit meinem Reisepass ______.
The subject is 'ich', so the verb is 'weise' and the reflexive pronoun is 'mich'. The prefix 'aus' goes to the end.
A: Ich weise den Polizisten aus. B: Ich weise mich dem Polizisten aus. C: Ich weise mich mit dem Ausweis aus.
C is the standard way to say you are identifying yourself using a document.
Bank: 'Guten Tag. Ich möchte Geld abheben.' - Angestellte: 'Gerne. Können Sie ______ ______ ______?'
The clerk is asking the customer (Sie) to identify themselves (sich).
1. Sich vorstellen, 2. Sich ausweisen, 3. Zeigen. Situations: A. Meeting a neighbor, B. Police check, C. Showing a photo.
You introduce yourself to neighbors, identify yourself to police, and show photos.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsYes, if the librarian needs to verify your identity, you can say 'Ich weise mich mit meinem {dem|m} Bibliotheksausweis aus.'
It is neutral-formal. It's not impolite, but it's very official. Use 'zeigen' for friends.
An 'Ausweis' is a general ID card. A 'Reisepass' is specifically a passport for international travel.
You must own one, but you don't have to carry it unless you are in a specific situation (like driving or working in certain industries).
It's 'Ich habe mich ausgewiesen'.
Related Phrases
vorzeigen
similarto show/present
nachweisen
similarto prove
sich legitimieren
synonymto legitimize oneself
sich vorstellen
contrastto introduce oneself
die Ausweisung
specialized formdeportation
