German word

anstelle

Pronunciation

IPA/anˈʃtɛlə/

Meaning

  • prepositioninstead of

Example

Ich arbeite anstelle meines Kollegen heute.

I am working instead of my colleague today.

Illustration for anstelle (instead of)

More examples

Sie trank anstelle von Kaffee Wasser.

She drank water instead of coffee.

Core concept

One person or thing occupies the position where another would normally serve.

Common phrases

  • anstelle von

    instead of

Similar words

statt: With one thing substituted for another.
anstatt: In place of someone or something, carrying out the expected action or role.
anstelle von: In place of a named person or holder of a job.

Definition in German

Bezeichnet den Ersatz einer Person oder Sache; in formellem Stil gebräuchlich und meist mit dem Genitiv oder mit ‚anstelle von‘ verbunden.

Word origin

Anstelle combines the preposition an with Stelle, a German noun meaning a place, position, or post, and developed the meaning 'in place of'.

Usage tips

  • Anstelle is relatively formal and commonly takes the genitive, as in 'anstelle meines Kollegen', or a von phrase in less formal usage.

Word lists with this word