SpeeekDownload on the App Store
Back to At The Hotel

Italian Phrase

Posso vedere il tuo documento d'identità, per favore?

/ˈpɔs.so veˈde.re il ˈtwɔ do.kuˈmen.to di.denˈtiˈta per faˈvo.re/
Meaning"May I see your ID, please?"
💡

Meaning

A courteous way to ask someone to show their identification document. It combines a modal verb with an infinitive and ends with the polite particle ‘per favore’, making the request both clear and respectful.

🎯

When to use

Use this phrase when you need to verify a person’s age or identity – at a bar, hotel check‑in, bank, police checkpoint, or any official situation where an ID is required.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Possovedereiltuodocumentod'identità,perfavore?

1

Posso (potere)

‘Posso’ is the first‑person singular present of the modal verb ‘potere’, used to ask permission or express ability.

2

vedere (infinitive)

The infinitive verb follows the modal verb directly, without ‘to’ in Italian.

3

il tuo (possessive adjective)

‘Il’ is the masculine singular definite article; ‘tuo’ agrees in gender and number with ‘documento’.

4

documento d'identità

A compound noun where the preposition ‘di’ contracts to ‘d'’ before a vowel; it means ‘identity document’ (ID).

5

per favore

A polite phrase equivalent to ‘please’; it can be placed at the end or the beginning of a request.

🗨In Conversation

A

Posso vedere il tuo documento d'identità, per favore?

May I see your ID, please?

Certo, ecco il mio documento.

Sure, here is my ID.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Posso vedere il suo documento d'identità, per favore?

    ‘Il suo’ is formal; mixing it with the informal ‘tuo’ creates a register clash. Use either all formal or all informal.

  • Posso vedere il tuo documento d'identità per favore

    Missing the comma before ‘per favore’ can make the sentence sound rushed; the pause is important for politeness.

  • Posso vedere il tuo documenti d'identità

    ‘Documenti’ is plural; the correct singular form is ‘documento’. Also, the article must agree: ‘il documento’.

↔Alternatives

  • Mi può mostrare il suo documento d'identità, per favore?

    Could you show me your ID, please?

  • Posso dare un'occhiata al tuo documento d'identità?

    Can I take a look at your ID?

  • Per favore, mi faccia vedere il documento d'identità.

    Please, show me the ID.

it

Cultural Tip

In Italy, asking for an ID is common in many everyday situations, but the level of formality matters. When speaking to strangers or in official contexts, use the formal ‘Lei’ (e.g., ‘Il suo documento’) and keep ‘per favore’ to soften the request. In casual settings among friends, the informal ‘tuo’ is fine.