to identify / expel / show
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to identify oneself
To prove one's identity using an official document such as an ID card or passport.
Am Eingang mussten sich alle Besucher mit einem gültigen Lichtbildausweis ausweisen.
At the entrance, all visitors had to identify themselves with a valid photo ID.
'Ausweisen' is a separable verb. The prefix 'aus-' comes at the end of the main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
Die Statistik weist einen klaren Trend aus.
The statistic shows a clear trend.
You can recognize the meaning of 'ausweisen' from the sentence structure: 'sich ausweisen' (to identify oneself), 'jemanden ausweisen' (to expel someone from the country), 'ein Dokument weist etwas aus' (a document shows/declares something), or 'ein Gebiet ausweisen' (to designate an area).
Können Sie sich bitte ausweisen?
Could you please identify yourself?
The meanings 'jemanden des Landes verweisen' (to expel someone from the country), 'etwas deklarieren' (to declare something), and 'ein Gebiet bestimmen' (to designate an area) are typical of official and administrative language.
Die Gemeinde muss neue Bauflächen ausweisen.
The municipality has to designate new building areas.
When proving one's identity, the reflexive form 'sich ausweisen' is often combined with the preposition 'mit' and the document in the dative.
Der Gast konnte sich an der Rezeption mit seinem Reisepass ausweisen.
The guest was able to identify himself at reception with his passport.
In this meaning, a document, such as a balance sheet or a statistic, is often the subject of the sentence. The document 'acts' actively by showing a piece of information.
Die Statistik weist eine sinkende Arbeitslosigkeit aus.
The statistic shows decreasing unemployment.
to point / show
'weisen' and 'ausweisen' can both mean that someone has to leave a place. 'Jemanden aus etwas weisen' means sending a person out of a room or area; it sounds formal or authoritative. 'ausweisen' is used especially for an official decision requiring a foreign person to leave a country. The words can be confused because 'ausweisen' looks like a form of 'weisen'. But it is important to note: 'sich ausweisen' means something completely different, namely proving your identity with a document.
Die Behörde kann eine Person ausweisen, wenn das Gesetz es erlaubt.
The authority can expel a person if the law allows it.
Der Sicherheitsdienst weist den Gast aus dem Saal, weil er laut stört.
The security staff expel the guest from the hall because he is being loudly disruptive.