Verb

vertreten

Translation

to represent, to stand in for, to advocate, to champion

Der Anwalt vertritt seinen Mandanten.

The lawyer represents his client.

Ich vertrete heute meinen kranken Kollegen.

I am standing in for my sick colleague today.

Er vertritt eine klare Meinung dazu.

He holds a clear opinion on that.

((sb./sth.)) to represent sb./sth. The lawyer represents his client.

((an opinion)) to advocate/hold an opinion He holds a clear opinion on that.

Synonyms: repräsentieren, einstehen für; Antonyms: im Stich lassen (to abandon)

From the prefix `ver-` and `treten` (to step, tread). Literally 'to step for' someone, which leads to the meaning of representing or substituting.

Imagine you 'step' (`treten`) into someone's shoes to 'represent' (`vertreten`) them.