German word

vertreten

Pronunciation

IPA/fɛɐ̯ˈtʁeːtən/

Meaning

  • verbrepresent

Example

Ich vertrete heute meinen Chef.

I am representing my boss today.

Illustration for vertreten (represent)

More examples

Bei der Diskussion vertrete ich den Standpunkt meiner Abteilung.

In the discussion, I advocate my department's position.

Core concept

One person occupies another's public role, carrying that person's interests and stance into a discussion.

Common phrases

  • den Standpunkt vertreten

    advocate a position

  • jemanden vertreten

    stand in for someone

Similar words

repräsentieren: Serve as the official representative of a person or organization in public.
übernehmen: Take responsibility for a role and carry it on independently.
einspringen: Provide short-term cover when someone is suddenly unavailable.
ersetzen: Put a different person or thing in the place or role of another.

Definition in German

jemanden oder etwas offiziell nach außen vertreten und dessen Interessen/Positionen wahrnehmen

Word origin

Vertreten is a Germanic formation from ver- and treten, related to English 'tread', with representation arising from the notion of stepping in for another.

Usage tips

  • With a view or position as object, vertreten means advocating or maintaining it, as in eine Meinung vertreten.

Other meanings

  • stand in forverb
  • advocateverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word