Spanish Phrase
Sí, por favor, muestra tu tarjeta de embarque.
Meaning
This phrase is a polite request to see someone's boarding pass. It combines a confirmation ('Sí'), a polite request ('por favor'), and a direct command ('muestra') for an informal 'you' ('tu'). It's commonly used in travel contexts where identification or travel documents are required.
When to use
You would typically hear or use this phrase at an airport, train station, or bus terminal. It's used by staff (e.g., airline agents, security personnel) when checking passengers' documents at the check-in counter, security checkpoint, or boarding gate. It's an informal request, suitable for someone you might address with 'tú'.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Sí, por favor, muestra tu tarjeta de embarque.
Sí
'Sí' means 'yes'. It's a simple affirmation that often precedes a polite request or statement.
Por favor
'Por favor' means 'please'. It's essential for politeness in Spanish requests, making the command sound courteous rather than abrupt.
Muestra (from Mostrar)
'Muestra' is the informal (tú) imperative form of the verb 'mostrar', which means 'to show' or 'to display'. It's a direct command used when addressing someone informally.
Tu
'Tu' is the informal possessive adjective meaning 'your'. It corresponds to the informal 'tú' form of address, indicating that the boarding pass belongs to the person being spoken to informally.
Tarjeta de embarque
'Tarjeta de embarque' is the standard term for 'boarding pass' in Spanish. 'Tarjeta' means 'card', and 'embarque' refers to the act of boarding a plane, ship, or train.
🗨In Conversation
Buenos días, ¿tiene su pasaporte y tarjeta de embarque listos?
Good morning, do you have your passport and boarding pass ready?
Sí, por favor, muestra tu tarjeta de embarque.
Yes, please show your boarding pass.
✕Common Mistakes
Sí, por favor, enseña su tarjeta de embarque.
While 'enseña' also means 'show', 'muestra' is more common for presenting documents. Also, 'su' is formal, conflicting with the informal 'tu' implied by 'enseña' if used with 'tú' form, or if the speaker intends to be informal.
Sí, por favor, muestra su tarjeta de embarque.
Using 'su' (formal 'your') with 'muestra' (informal 'show') creates a mismatch in formality. If you use 'muestra' (tú form), you should use 'tu'.
Sí, por favor, muestra tu tarjeta de abordar.
While 'tarjeta de abordar' is understood, 'tarjeta de embarque' is the more standard and widely accepted term for 'boarding pass' in most Spanish-speaking countries.
↔Alternatives
Sí, por favor, muestre su tarjeta de embarque.
Yes, please show your (formal) boarding pass.
Su tarjeta de embarque, por favor.
Your boarding pass, please.
¿Me permite ver su tarjeta de embarque?
May I see your boarding pass?
Cultural Tip
In Spanish-speaking cultures, politeness is highly valued, especially in service interactions. The inclusion of 'por favor' (please) is crucial to make the request sound courteous rather than demanding. The choice between 'tú' (informal) and 'usted' (formal) is also important; 'muestra tu' is informal, while 'muestre su' is formal. When interacting with service personnel, especially in official settings like airports, using the formal 'usted' form is generally safer and more respectful unless explicitly invited to use 'tú'.