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.
to reimburse
To compensate for damage, a loss, or an expense, usually through a financial payment.
Die Versicherung wird Ihnen den entstandenen Schaden vollständig ersetzen.
The insurance company will fully reimburse you for the damage incurred.
'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 taking the place of a person who is absent. Vertreten usually emphasizes temporary substitution, while ersetzen can also mean a complete or permanent replacement. Use „vertreten“ when the person will return later, and „ersetzen“ when someone or something is put in their place.
Nach ihrer Kündigung ersetzt eine neue Mitarbeiterin Frau Berger dauerhaft im Büro.
After Frau Berger resigned, a new employee permanently took her place at the office.
Während ihrer Krankheit vertritt die Kollegin Frau Berger im Büro.
While Frau Berger is ill, her colleague is standing in for her at the office.
