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Personalausweis

identity card

noun per-zo-NAHL-ows-vise Rare

Also means

national ID

Usage Note

Personalausweis is the compulsory national identity card every German adult must hold, distinct from the Reisepass (passport). It is often abbreviated Perso in speech. You show it constantly for official business; the plural is Personalausweise.

Examples

"Bitte legen Sie Ihren Personalausweis vor."

Natural Translation

Please present your identity card.

Literal Translation

Please lay you your identity-card before.

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