Spanish word

substituir

Pronunciation

IPA/suβstiˈtwiɾ/

Meaning

  • verbreplace

Example

El entrenador va a substituir al jugador lesionado.

The coach is going to replace the injured player.

Illustration for substituir (replace)

More examples

Para la receta, puedes substituir el azúcar por miel.

In the recipe, you can replace sugar with honey.

Core concept

A person or thing taking another's place temporarily.

Common phrases

  • substituir a un jugador

    replace a player

  • substituir ingredientes

    replace ingredients

  • substituir por otro

    replace with another

Similar words

reemplazar: Replaces one person or thing with another as a direct substitution.
cubrir: Handles an unfilled task or shift to fill a gap in duties.
relevar: Takes over duties in rotation, relieving someone at the end of their turn.
suplir: Supplies what is missing or scarce so a needed role or requirement is met.

Definition in Spanish

Poner a una persona o cosa en el lugar de otra para que ocupe su puesto o cumpla su función, a menudo de forma temporal.

Word origin

From Latin substituere (sub- 'under' + statuere 'place'), the verb arrived in Spanish as substituir and shifted to the sense of putting one thing in another's place.

Usage tips

  • When replacing a person use 'substituir a + person', while to say one object replaces another use 'substituir X por Y'.

Other meanings

  • substituteverb

Opposites

Related words

  • substituciónreplacementnoun
  • substituidoreplacedadjective

Word lists with this word