01
der Ausweis
ID card
An official document, usually with a photo, that confirms a person's identity.
example
Bei der Polizeikontrolle mussten alle ihren Ausweis vorzeigen.
During the police check, everyone had to show their ID card.
der Ausweis
ID card
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word structure
'Der Ausweis' (ID card) is derived from the verb 'sich ausweisen' (to identify oneself). The verb means to prove one's identity. So an Ausweis is the document with which you identify yourself.
EXAMPLE
Ohne gültigen Ausweis konnte er sich nicht ausweisen.
Without a valid ID card, he could not identify himself.
Typical verbs
In connection with official documents, the most common verbs are 'den Ausweis vorzeigen' (to show one's ID), 'kontrollieren' (to check), and 'beantragen' (to apply for). You also often hear the request: 'Bitte Ihren Ausweis!' (Your ID, please!).
EXAMPLE
Am Eingang mussten alle Besucher ihren Ausweis vorzeigen.
At the entrance, all visitors had to show their ID card.
Typical compounds
When authorization is meant, 'Ausweis' often appears as the second part of a compound word. The first word describes the purpose, for example 'Studentenausweis' (student ID), 'Bibliotheksausweis' (library card), or 'Mitarbeiterausweis' (employee ID).
EXAMPLE
Mit meinem Presseausweis erhalte ich kostenlosen Eintritt ins Museum.
With my press pass, I get free admission to the museum.
Compare with
Ausweis vs Papier
paper
'das Papier' and 'der Ausweis' can both belong to official documents. In this meaning, 'Papier' usually refers generally to important documents and often appears in the plural: 'die Papiere'. 'Ausweis' is much more precise: it shows who someone is, or that someone has a certain authorization. So you can say: an 'Ausweis' is a 'Papier', but not every 'Papier' is an 'Ausweis'. There is a particular risk of confusion in sentences like 'Zeigen Sie Ihre Papiere' (Show your papers). This can mean IDs, but the word remains more general.
Ausweis
Mein Kollege zeigt am Eingang seinen Ausweis.
My colleague shows his ID at the entrance.
Papier
Bei der Kontrolle sucht er nervös nach seinen Papieren.
During the check, he nervously looks for his papers.
In real life
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