successor
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successor
A person who takes over an office, position, or function from someone else.
Das Unternehmen sucht einen geeigneten Nachfolger für den in Rente gehenden Geschäftsführer.
The company is looking for a suitable successor for the managing director who is retiring.
The word is made up of 'nach' (after) and 'folgen' (to follow). A Nachfolger is therefore literally someone or something that 'nachfolgt' (follows after).
Wer wird dem alten Bürgermeister im Amt nachfolgen?
Who will succeed the old mayor in office?
To say whose successor someone is or what someone is the successor for, you use the prepositions 'von' (of/from) or 'für' (for). With a position or office, 'in' (+ dative) or 'im' is often used.
Er ist der Nachfolger von Herrn Meier.
He is Mr. Meier's successor.
The context makes it clear whether a person or a product is meant. Words like 'Firma' (company) or 'Amt' (office) point to a person, while 'Modell' (model) or 'Technik' (technology) refer to a product.
Der Nachfolger des alten iPhones hat eine bessere Kamera.
The successor to the old iPhone has a better camera.
In a professional context, a 'Nachfolger' is often 'gesucht' (sought), 'gefunden' (found), or 'eingearbeitet' (trained/onboarded). A person can also 'die Nachfolge antreten' (take over the succession).
Die neue Mitarbeiterin wird die Nachfolge von Frau Schmidt antreten.
The new employee will succeed Ms. Schmidt.
representative / substitute
'Vertreter' and 'Nachfolger' can both have to do with a position that another person normally has or used to have. The difference lies in the duration and situation. A 'Vertreter' takes over a task only temporarily or acts for someone else, for example during a vacation or illness. A 'Nachfolger' takes over a position permanently after the previous person has left. The words are easy to confuse because both can take the place of another person. As a simple guide: the 'Vertreter' helps or replaces someone only for a time; the 'Nachfolger' comes afterward and usually stays in the position.
Nach zehn Jahren sucht der Verein einen Nachfolger für den Vorsitzenden.
After ten years, the association is looking for a successor to the chairperson.
Während Frau Becker krank ist, leitet ihr Vertreter die Besprechung.
While Ms. Becker is sick, her substitute leads the meeting.