French Phrase
Montre‑moi ta pièce d'identité.
Meaning
Literally, ‘Show me your identity document.’ It is a direct request for someone’s ID card, passport, or any official document that proves identity. The tone can range from polite (with ‘s’il te plaît’) to firm, depending on context.
When to use
Use this phrase when a police officer, security guard, or service staff asks to verify who you are – at airports, nightclubs, banks, or when you need to prove your age.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Montre-moitapièced'identité.
Imperative Mood
‘Montre’ is the second‑person singular imperative of the verb ‘montrer’ (to show).
Pronoun Attachment
When a direct object pronoun follows an imperative, it is attached with a hyphen (e.g., ‘Montre‑moi’).
Possessive Adjective
‘ta’ agrees with the feminine singular noun ‘pièce’ and means ‘your’ (informal).
Partitive Construction
‘d’identité’ is a contraction of ‘de identité’, linking the noun ‘pièce’ with its purpose.
🗨In Conversation
Montre‑moi ta pièce d'identité, s'il te plaît.
Please show me your ID.
Voici, la voici.
Here it is.
✕Common Mistakes
Montrer moi ta pièce d'identité.
The pronoun must be attached with a hyphen in the imperative.
Montre‑moi ta pièce d'identité.
If you are speaking formally, use ‘votre’ instead of ‘ta’.
Montre‑moi la pièce d'identité.
Do not add an extra article; the phrase already includes the necessary article.
↔Alternatives
Présentez‑moi votre pièce d'identité.
Present me your ID (formal).
Montrez‑moi votre carte d'identité.
Show me your identity card.
Donnez‑moi votre pièce d'identité.
Give me your ID.
Cultural Tip
In France, it is common for police or security personnel to ask for a ‘pièce d'identité’. Using ‘tu’ (as in ‘Montre‑moi…’) is informal and should be reserved for peers or when the speaker is clearly in a casual setting. In official contexts, switch to the formal ‘vous’ – ‘Montrez‑moi votre pièce d'identité.’ Also, always keep a valid ID on you; refusing to show it can be interpreted as non‑cooperation.