vertreten
to stand in for
To act for someone or be present in their place; to represent someone or function as a substitute.
EXAMPLE
Mein Kollege wird mich während meines Urlaubs vertreten.
My colleague will stand in for me during my vacation.
vertreten
to represent
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Meanings
vertreten
to hold
To have a particular opinion, view, or position and also express it or advocate for it.
EXAMPLE
Ich vertrete den Standpunkt, dass wir mehr in Bildung investieren sollten.
I hold the position that we should invest more in education.
vertreten
to be represented
To be present or available in a particular place or group.
EXAMPLE
In diesem Gremium sind Experten aus allen Fachbereichen vertreten.
Experts from all fields are represented on this committee.
sich die Beine vertreten
to stretch one's legs
A fixed expression meaning to get up after sitting for a long time and walk around a little to loosen the muscles.
EXAMPLE
Nach der langen Autofahrt müssen wir uns dringend mal die Beine vertreten.
After the long car ride, we really need to stretch our legs.
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Vertreten' (to represent / to stand in for) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'ver-' remains firmly attached to the verb stem 'treten' in all sentence forms and tenses.
EXAMPLE
Er vertrat seine Meinung sehr überzeugend.
He represented his opinion very convincingly.
Jemanden vertreten
When you step in for another person or represent them, that person is the direct object in the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Der Anwalt vertritt seinen Mandanten vor Gericht.
The lawyer represents his client in court.
Typical collocations
To express that you hold a particular view, 'vertreten' is often combined with nouns such as 'Meinung' (opinion), 'Standpunkt' (position/point of view), 'Ansicht' (view), or 'Position' (position).
EXAMPLE
Ich vertrete den Standpunkt, dass wir nachhaltiger leben müssen.
I hold the position that we need to live more sustainably.
Passive-like use
In the meaning 'to be present', this verb is almost always used in a passive-like construction with 'sein' (to be) and the past participle 'vertreten'.
EXAMPLE
In der Ausstellung sind viele bekannte Künstler vertreten.
Many well-known artists are represented in the exhibition.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'sich die Beine vertreten' (to stretch one's legs) is a fixed unit. The pronoun 'sich' is in the dative here, and 'die Beine' is in the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Lass uns kurz anhalten, damit wir uns die Beine vertreten können.
Let's stop briefly so we can stretch our legs.
Compare with
vertreten vs ersetzen
to replace / reimburse
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.
vertreten
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.
ersetzen
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.
In real life
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