Vis legitimasjonen ved inngangen.

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Breakdown of Vis legitimasjonen ved inngangen.

• inngangen: the entrance
• vise: to show
• legitimasjonen: the identification

Questions & Answers about Vis legitimasjonen ved inngangen.

Why is vis used here instead of a form like viser?

Vis is the imperative form of the verb å vise (to show).

So:

• å vise = to show
• viser = show / is showing
• vis! = show!

In instructions, signs, and commands, Norwegian often uses the imperative, just like English does in phrases such as Show your ID or Wait here.

So Vis legitimasjonen ved inngangen is an instruction directed at the reader.

Is this sentence rude because it uses the imperative?

Not necessarily. In Norwegian, the imperative is very common in:

• signs
• public instructions
• rules
• short directions

So a sentence like Vis legitimasjonen ved inngangen sounds normal in a practical context, such as at a venue, event, or checkpoint.

English sometimes avoids the bare imperative in formal public language by using phrases like Please show your ID at the entrance, but Norwegian is often more comfortable being direct in this kind of situation.

Why is it legitimasjonen and not just legitimasjon?