to replace / reimburse
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to replace
To put something or someone in the place of something or someone else because it is old, broken, absent, or no longer suitable.
Wir müssen die alte Waschmaschine durch ein neues Modell ersetzen.
We have to replace the old washing machine with a new model.
'Ersetzen' (to replace/reimburse) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'er-' remains firmly attached to the verb 'setzen' in all tenses and sentence types.
Er ersetzte die kaputte Glühbirne sofort.
He replaced the broken light bulb immediately.
When something is being exchanged, you use the structure: 'etwas (accusative) durch etwas Neues (accusative) ersetzen' (to replace something with something new). The preposition 'durch' is very typical here.
Man kann Zucker in diesem Rezept einfach durch Honig ersetzen.
You can simply replace sugar with honey in this recipe.
When it is about financial compensation, the person receiving the compensation is in the dative. The structure is: 'jemandem (dative) den Schaden (accusative) ersetzen' (to reimburse someone for the damage).
Die Fluggesellschaft muss uns die Kosten für das Hotel ersetzen.
The airline has to reimburse us for the hotel costs.
to represent
'vertreten' and 'ersetzen' can both mean that someone or something takes the place of someone or something else. The difference lies in the purpose and duration. 'vertreten' is used when someone temporarily acts for another person or is present in their place, for example because of illness or vacation. The original person remains important and usually comes back. 'ersetzen' is used when something or someone takes the place of something else because it is missing, broken, unsuitable, or no longer there. This can be permanent. Learners may confuse the words because both have to do with being 'in someone's place'. Memory tip: people often 'vertreten' other people; things are often 'ersetzt' with new things.
Wegen des Defekts ersetzt die Firma den alten Drucker.
Because of the defect, the company is replacing the old printer.
Herr Kaya vertritt heute die kranke Kollegin im Meeting.
Mr. Kaya is standing in for his sick colleague in the meeting today.