repräsentieren
to represent
To officially represent someone or something; to act as an envoy or substitute.
EXAMPLE
Die Botschafterin repräsentiert ihr Land bei den Vereinten Nationen.
The ambassador represents her country at the United Nations.
repräsentieren
to represent
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Meanings
repräsentieren
to represent
To be a typical example or a symbol of something; to embody or depict something.
EXAMPLE
Dieses Gebäude repräsentiert die moderne Architektur der 1960er Jahre.
This building represents the modern architecture of the 1960s.
repräsentieren
to show off status
To display prestige and status through one's appearance, possessions, or behavior.
EXAMPLE
Mit dem teuren Sportwagen wollte er vor allem repräsentieren.
With the expensive sports car, he mainly wanted to show off his status.
Usage tips
Sentence structure
'Repräsentieren' (to represent) is a transitive verb and almost always needs an accusative object. You ask: whom or what does someone/something represent?
EXAMPLE
Der Vorstandsvorsitzende repräsentiert das Unternehmen nach außen.
The CEO represents the company externally.
Register: formal language
This verb belongs to formal language. You often find it in official, academic, or business texts and speeches.
EXAMPLE
Die Studie repräsentiert die Meinung von über tausend Befragten.
The study represents the opinion of over a thousand respondents.
Context clue
Pay attention to the subject: when a person 'repräsentiert' (represents) something, official representation is often meant. When a thing 'repräsentiert' (represents) something, it is usually about symbolic meaning.
EXAMPLE
Der Anwalt repräsentiert seinen Klienten vor Gericht.
The lawyer represents his client in court.
Use without an object
Only in the meaning 'Status zur Schau stellen' (to show off status) can 'repräsentieren' (to represent) also be used without an object. The focus is then on the act of showing off or self-presentation itself.
EXAMPLE
Bei dem Staatsempfang ging es ihm nicht um Politik, er wollte nur repräsentieren.
At the state reception, he was not interested in politics; he only wanted to show off his status.
Compare with
repräsentieren vs vertreten
to represent
Vertreten and repräsentieren can both mean appearing on behalf of a person or organization. Vertreten usually emphasizes acting or speaking in someone’s place, while repräsentieren places more emphasis on official or symbolic representation. Use „vertreten“ for directly representing someone’s interests and „repräsentieren“ for an official representative role.
repräsentieren
Die Mitarbeiterin repräsentiert ihre Firma bei der offiziellen Feier.
The employee represents her company at the official celebration.
vertreten
Die Mitarbeiterin vertritt ihre Firma bei den Gesprächen mit den Kunden.
The employee represents her company in discussions with customers.
In real life
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