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German Phrase

Zeig es dem Fahrer oder dem Personal.

/t͡sʰaɪ̯k ɛs deːm ˈfaːʁɐ ˈoːdɐ deːm pɛʁzoˈnaːl/
Meaning"Show it to the driver or the staff."
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Meaning

‘Show it to the driver or the staff.’ The sentence is a direct command in the informal singular, telling someone to present a thing (usually a ticket or ID) to either the vehicle driver or the service personnel.

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When to use

Use this phrase when you need to hand over a document, ticket, or any item to the person operating a vehicle (bus, tram, taxi) or to the employees at a service desk, such as at a train station or airport.

✦Grammar Breakdown

ZeigesdemFahreroderdemPersonal.

1

Imperativ von 'zeigen'

Use the stem 'Zeig' for the informal singular 'du' imperative; the formal 'Sie' form is 'Zeigen Sie…'.

2

Dativobjekt

The person you show something to is in the dative case, therefore 'dem Fahrer' and 'dem Personal'.

3

Pronomen 'es'

'es' is a neuter pronoun that replaces a previously mentioned object (e.g., a ticket, a document).

4

Konjunktion 'oder'

'oder' connects two alternatives; the dative article repeats before each noun for clarity.

🗨In Conversation

A

Entschuldigung, ich habe meine Fahrkarte vergessen.

Excuse me, I forgot my ticket.

Zeig es dem Fahrer oder dem Personal.

Show it to the driver or the staff.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Zeige es dem Fahrer oder dem Personal.

    For the informal singular imperative of 'zeigen' you drop the -e; 'Zeig' is the natural form.

  • Zeig es den Fahrer oder den Personal.

    After 'zeigen' the person you show something to takes the dative case, not accusative.

↔Alternatives

  • Zeig es dem Fahrer bzw. dem Personal.

    Show it to the driver or, respectively, the staff.

  • Zeig es dem Fahrer oder dem Servicepersonal.

    Show it to the driver or the service staff.

  • Zeigen Sie es dem Fahrer oder dem Personal.

    Show it to the driver or the staff. (formal)

de

Cultural Tip

In German‑speaking countries, bus passengers often hand their tickets directly to the driver, while train passengers show them to the conductor or station staff. 'Personal' is a neutral term for employees; in some regions you might hear 'Mitarbeiter' or 'Servicepersonal'. For a polite request, switch to the formal imperative: 'Zeigen Sie es dem Fahrer oder dem Personal.'