vertreten
Translation
to represent, to substitute for, to advocate, to champion
Examples
Der Anwalt vertritt seinen Mandanten.
The lawyer represents his client.
Ich vertrete heute meinen kranken Kollegen.
I am substituting for my sick colleague today.
Er vertritt eine klare Meinung dazu.
He holds a clear opinion on that.
Grammar Patterns
((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.
Similar Words
Synonyms: repräsentieren, einstehen für; Antonyms: im Stich lassen (to abandon)
Etymology
Composed of the prefix `ver-` and the verb `treten` (to step, tread). The literal sense is 'to step for' someone, hence 'to represent' or 'stand in for'.
Memory Tips
Picture yourself 'stepping' (`treten`) forward `for` (`ver-`) someone to represent them.