der  Ausweis

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaʊsˌvaɪs/

📜 What exactly is an Ausweis?

Der Ausweis (masculine) is an official document that confirms a person's identity or proves a specific authorization. There are different types of Ausweise (plural).

• Proof of Identity: The most common example is the Personalausweis (national ID card), which contains basic personal data like name, date of birth, and photo. The Reisepass (passport) is also an important Ausweis.
• Proof of Authorization: An Ausweis can also serve to show membership or permission, e.g., a Studentenausweis (student ID), Führerschein (driver's license), Bibliotheksausweis (library card), or Mitarbeiterausweis (employee ID).
• General Proof: Sometimes the term is used more generally for any kind of proof or record, e.g., der Ausweis der Kosten (proof of costs incurred). This meaning is less common in everyday life.

⚠️ The term is almost exclusively used for documents issued by an official body or organization.

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Ausweis

The word "Ausweis" is a masculine noun. Its declension is as follows:

Example Sentences

1. Bitte zeigen Sie Ihren Ausweis vor. (Please show your ID. - Accusative Singular)
2. Der Verlust des Ausweises muss gemeldet werden. (The loss of the ID must be reported. - Genitive Singular)
3. Mit einem gültigen Ausweis erhältst du Rabatt. (With a valid ID, you get a discount. - Dative Singular)
4. Die Polizei kontrollierte die Ausweise aller Anwesenden. (The police checked the IDs of everyone present. - Accusative Plural)

💡 Everyday Use: When do you need an Ausweis?

The term "Ausweis" is very common in German. Here are typical situations:

• Identity Checks: During police checks, at the airport, when entering certain buildings, or when picking up parcels. ("Zeigen Sie bitte Ihren Ausweis. - Please show your ID.")
• Proof of Age: When buying alcohol or tobacco, entering clubs or cinemas. ("Hast du einen Ausweis dabei? - Do you have an ID with you?")
• Proof of Entitlements: To receive discounts (Studentenausweis, Rentnerausweis - student/pensioner ID), use a library (Bibliotheksausweis), or drive a vehicle (Führerschein).
• Formal Applications: Dealing with authorities, opening bank accounts, or signing contracts often requires a valid Personalausweis (national ID) or Reisepass (passport).

Important Distinctions:

• Personalausweis: The official proof of identity for German citizens within Germany and the EU.
• Reisepass: Necessary for travel outside the EU.
• Führerschein: Proof of driving authorization, often has limited validity as proof of identity.
• Other IDs (Schülerausweis, Presseausweis etc.) have specific functions.

In general conversation, "Ausweis" often refers to the Personalausweis.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic

Remember: Der Mann (the man) shows his ID. The Ausweis is like the key (masculine 'der Schlüssel') to identity – strong, official, masculine. Think of the 'er' in 'der' as referring to a 'hero' needing his ID.

Meaning Mnemonic

An Ausweis basically says: "I point you out (aus) and show (weisen) who you are!" It 'shows out' your identity or permission. Imagine it 'waving' (sounds like 'weisen') 'out' at people to identify you.

↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but different terms

• Bescheinigung: Certificate/confirmation, confirms a fact (e.g., Teilnahmebescheinigung - certificate of participation), but not necessarily identity.
• Zertifikat: Certificate, proves qualifications or characteristics (e.g., Sprachzertifikat - language certificate).
• Urkunde: A document with high probative value, often notarized (e.g., Geburtsurkunde - birth certificate).

😂 A little ID Joke

Fragt der Polizist den Autofahrer: "Ihren Führerschein, bitte!"
Antwortet der Fahrer: "Wieso? Gibt's den jetzt auch schon im Abo? Ich dachte, den muss man nur einmal machen!"

Translation: The police officer asks the driver: "Your driver's license, please!"
The driver replies: "Why? Is it available on subscription now too? I thought you only had to do it once!"

(Okay, the joke is about the Führerschein, a type of Ausweis!)

✒️ Poem about the Ausweis

Ein Kärtchen klein, mal alt, mal neu,
Der Ausweis ist stets mit dabei.
Er zeigt mein Bild, mein Namenszug,
auf Reisen und bei jedem Fug.

Ob an der Tür, ob an der Kasse,
er öffnet manche Gasse.
Ein Stück Papier, doch voller Macht,
hat über Identität gewacht.

Translation:
A little card, sometimes old, sometimes new,
The ID card is always there with you.
It shows my picture, my signature's trace,
on travels and in every place.

Whether at the door, or at the checkout line,
it opens many a path divine.
A piece of paper, yet full of might,
has watched over identity's light.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich habe ein Bild, doch kann nicht sehen.
Ich trage einen Namen, kann aber nicht gehen.
Ich weise dich aus, an vielen Orten,
bin wichtig bei Reisen und bei Behörden-Sorten.

Was bin ich?

Translation:
I have a picture, but cannot see.
I carry a name, but cannot flee.
I identify you, in many locations,
am important for travel and administrative stations.

What am I?
(Solution: Der Ausweis - The ID card)

🌐 Other Interesting Facts

Word Composition

The word "Ausweis" is composed of:

• aus: preposition/prefix, here meaning 'out' or for presentation.
• weisen: verb, meaning 'to show', 'to point out', or 'to prove'.

So, an Ausweis is something that shows or proves something (identity, authorization) outwardly (aus).

Typical Kinds of Ausweise

• Personalausweis (national ID card, often called "Perso")
• Reisepass (passport)
• Führerschein (driver's license)
• Studentenausweis / Schülerausweis (student ID / pupil ID)
• Bibliotheksausweis (library card)
• Mitarbeiterausweis / Dienstausweis (employee ID / service ID)
• Behindertenausweis / Schwerbehindertenausweis (disabled person's pass)
• Presseausweis (press pass)