vorlegen
To present
Littéralement: To lay before
Use 'vorlegen' when you need to show a document or proof to an authority or boss.
En 15 secondes
- To present or submit a document for official inspection.
- A separable verb where 'vor' moves to the end.
- Essential for bureaucracy, work, and proving your identity.
Signification
Think of it as showing or submitting something for review. It is when you place a document, an ID, or even a plan in front of someone to see.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6At the airport security
Bitte legen Sie Ihren Reisepass vor.
Please present your passport.
In a business meeting
Der Manager hat die neuen Verkaufszahlen vorgelegt.
The manager presented the new sales figures.
Applying for a flat
Ich muss meinen Arbeitsvertrag vorlegen.
I have to present my employment contract.
Contexte culturel
In Germany's highly organized administrative culture, 'vorlegen' is the key verb for official interactions. It reflects the historical importance of physical documentation and the 'Bringschuld'—the obligation to bring proof to the authorities yourself. Even in the digital age, 'vorlegen' remains the standard term for uploading or presenting digital certificates.
The Separable Secret
Remember: 'Ich lege vor.' If you forget to put 'vor' at the end, it just means 'I am laying/placing,' which makes people wait for the rest of the sentence!
Don't be too formal
Don't use 'vorlegen' when showing your cat photos to your Oma. Use 'zeigen' for anything that isn't a document or official proof.
En 15 secondes
- To present or submit a document for official inspection.
- A separable verb where 'vor' moves to the end.
- Essential for bureaucracy, work, and proving your identity.
What It Means
Vorlegen is a very practical German verb. It literally means to lay something in front of someone. Imagine you are at a desk. You have a document. You slide it across the table to your boss. That physical action is the heart of vorlegen. It is about making something available for inspection or proof. It is not just showing a photo to a friend. It is more about presenting something that needs to be checked or recorded.
How To Use It
This is a separable verb. That means the vor part often jumps to the end of your sentence. If you say "I am presenting the passport," it becomes Ich lege den Pass vor. You use it with the accusative case for the object you are showing. It is most common with physical items like IDs, certificates, or reports. You can also use it for abstract things like evidence or a new proposal in a meeting.
When To Use It
You will use this constantly in German bureaucracy. (And yes, there is a lot of it!) Use it at the airport when they ask for your visa. Use it at the bank when they need to see your registration. It is also perfect for professional settings. If you have finished a project draft, you vorlegen it to your supervisor. It feels active and professional. It says, "Here is my work, please look at it."
When NOT To Use It
Do not use vorlegen for casual "showing." If you want to show your friend your new shoes, use zeigen. Vorlegen is too heavy for that. It would sound like you are asking your friend to officially audit your footwear choices! Also, do not use it for "performing" a play or a song. For that, you want aufführen. Keep vorlegen for things that can be read, checked, or verified.
Cultural Background
Germany is a country that loves its paperwork and "Nachweise" (proofs). The act of vorlegen is a cultural ritual. It represents the moment of transparency. By "laying it before" someone, you are fulfilling your duty as a citizen or employee. It is the bridge between having a document and having it recognized by the system. There is a certain satisfaction in a German office when the right paper is finally vorgelegt.
Common Variations
You might hear einen Zahn zulegen, which means to speed up. It sounds similar but is totally different! A closer relative is vorliegen. That means something is already there or available. If your application is "vorliegend," the clerk already has it on their desk. Another one is Vorlage. This is a noun meaning a template or a draft. If you are a soccer fan, a Vorlage is also an assist!
Notes d'usage
The verb is neutral to formal. It is the 'workhorse' of German administration. Avoid using it in intimate or very relaxed social settings where 'zeigen' is more appropriate.
The Separable Secret
Remember: 'Ich lege vor.' If you forget to put 'vor' at the end, it just means 'I am laying/placing,' which makes people wait for the rest of the sentence!
Don't be too formal
Don't use 'vorlegen' when showing your cat photos to your Oma. Use 'zeigen' for anything that isn't a document or official proof.
The 'Assist' in Sports
In German football, a 'Torvorlage' is an assist. You 'laid the ball before' the striker. It's the same logic as the document!
Exemples
6Bitte legen Sie Ihren Reisepass vor.
Please present your passport.
A standard request from officials.
Der Manager hat die neuen Verkaufszahlen vorgelegt.
The manager presented the new sales figures.
Used here for sharing data or reports.
Ich muss meinen Arbeitsvertrag vorlegen.
I have to present my employment contract.
Common requirement in German housing markets.
Soll ich den Entwurf heute noch vorlegen?
Should I submit the draft today?
Casual professional check-in.
Kannst du mir einen Beweis für dein Mittagessen vorlegen?
Can you present some evidence of your lunch?
Joking about someone eating a colleague's food.
Er konnte keine Quittung vorlegen.
He couldn't produce a receipt.
Shows the serious consequence of not having proof.
Teste-toi
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'vorlegen'.
Können Sie mir bitte Ihre Fahrkarte ___?
After 'Können' (a modal verb), the main verb 'vorlegen' goes to the end in its infinitive form.
Choose the correct prefix for the sentence: 'Ich lege den Bericht ___.'
Ich lege den Bericht ___.
In a simple present tense sentence, the prefix 'vor' separates and moves to the end.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality of 'vorlegen'
Showing a photo to a friend (Use 'zeigen' instead)
Schau mal!
Showing a ticket to a bus driver
Das Ticket vorlegen.
Submitting a report to a board of directors
Den Bericht vorlegen.
Where will you 'vorlegen'?
Police Check
Führerschein vorlegen
Office
Ergebnisse vorlegen
Train
Fahrkarte vorlegen
University
Zeugnis vorlegen
Questions fréquentes
10 questions'Zeigen' is casual showing (like a picture), while 'vorlegen' is official presenting (like an ID). Use Zeig mir dein Handy but Legen Sie Ihren Ausweis vor.
Mostly, but it can be digital. You can vorlegen a PDF report or a digital vaccination certificate on your phone.
It uses 'haben' and the participle is 'vorgelegt'. For example: Ich habe den Beweis vorgelegt (I presented the proof).
Yes, in a professional sense. If a company 'legt ein Angebot vor,' they are providing/presenting a formal offer or bid.
Extremely. You will hear it every time you deal with any German authority or formal process.
It's the noun form. It can mean a template (for Word/Excel) or a legal draft, or even a sports assist.
Yes, though abgeben is more common for turning it in. Vorlegen implies you are showing it for feedback or review.
In a race, it can mean to set a pace or a lead. Er hat eine Zeit von 10 Sekunden vorgelegt (He set a time of 10 seconds).
Many German verbs with prefixes like 'vor-' are separable. The prefix acts like a directional pointer that moves to the end of the clause.
No, but it's an imperative. It's better to say Könnten Sie das bitte vorlegen? to be more polite.
Expressions liées
vorzeigen
To show/present (very similar, often used for tickets)
einreichen
To submit (more formal, like an application)
darlegen
To explain or lay out an argument
vorschlagen
To suggest or propose
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