vorzeigen
to show / present
To show someone something for inspection or verification, for example an ID or a ticket.
EXAMPLE
Bitte zeigen Sie am Eingang Ihre Eintrittskarte vor.
Please show your admission ticket at the entrance.
vorzeigen
to show / present
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Meanings
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Vorzeigen' (to show/present) is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'vor' comes at the end of the sentence. In subordinate clauses or in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb is not separated.
EXAMPLE
Der Fahrgast zeigte dem Kontrolleur sein Ticket vor.
The passenger showed the inspector his ticket.
Sentence structure with dative
The structure is often: someone (nominative) shows someone (dative) something (accusative). The person to whom something is shown is in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Können Sie mir bitte Ihren Pass vorzeigen?
Could you please show me your passport?
Typical collocations
This verb is almost always used in connection with official documents. Typical phrases are: 'den Ausweis vorzeigen' (to show one's ID), 'die Fahrkarte vorzeigen' (to show one's ticket), 'den Pass vorzeigen' (to show one's passport), or 'die Papiere vorzeigen' (to show one's papers).
EXAMPLE
An der Grenze mussten alle Reisenden ihre Pässe vorzeigen.
At the border, all travelers had to show their passports.
Compare with
vorzeigen vs vorlegen
to present / advance
When undergoing an inspection, both vorlegen and vorzeigen can be used for a document. Vorzeigen emphasizes that the other person should see it briefly. Vorlegen sounds more formal and makes the document available for closer examination, for example as part of an official procedure.
vorzeigen
Beim Einsteigen zeigte er dem Kontrolleur seinen Ausweis vor.
When boarding, he showed his ID to the inspector.
vorlegen
Bei der Anmeldung legte er der Mitarbeiterin seinen Ausweis zur Prüfung vor.
At registration, he presented his ID to the staff member for inspection.
In real life
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