reemplazar
/reemplaˈθaɾ/
To replace in Spanish is reemplazar.
reemplazar means to take the place of or to be used instead of something or someone. Related words include sustituir, which means to substitute and intercambiar, which means to exchange.
Meaning: to take the place of, to be used instead of (verb)
Which one should you use?
While reemplazar is a common way to express this idea, sustituir is often used in more formal or technical contexts to mean substituting one thing for another. You may also use cambiar as a formal option, though in different contexts cambiar can specifically mean to exchange or to switch.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you are replacing a person, you must use the personal 'a' before the object, such as in reemplazar a alguien. To indicate the thing that is being used as the replacement, typically use the preposition por (for example, reemplazar X por Y to mean replace X with Y). The noun form of the verb is reemplazo, meaning replacement.
How do you pronounce it?
/reemplaˈθaɾ/
Did you know?
- The word reemplazar contains the root emplazar, which in a legal context means to summon or to order someone to appear in court.
- The noun reemplazo is frequently used in military contexts to describe the draft or the new group of recruits taking the place of those discharged.
- In some Latin American dialects, cambiar is used as a shorthand for reemplazar even when no literal trade occurs, such as changing a lightbulb.
Examples in context
- Necesito reemplazar mi piano por uno nuevo.I need to replace my keyboard with a new one.This sentence shows how to use reemplazar to replace one object with another.Tatoeba #1527999 by marcelostockle, translation #679882 by ulyssemc1
- Es difícil reemplazar a un empleado tan calificado como él.It is difficult to replace an employee that is as qualified as he is.This sentence demonstrates the use of the personal 'a' when replacing a person with reemplazar.Tatoeba #1256497 by marcelostockle, translation #1256183 by stb
- Quisiera reemplazarlo.I'd like to replace it.This sentence shows the use of the object pronoun with reemplazar.Tatoeba #1479225 by marcelostockle, translation #320461 by CK
- Juan necesita reemplazar su antiguo teléfono.Juan needs to replace his old phone.
- Necesito cambiar el filtro del aire acondicionado.I need to replace the air conditioning filter.
- Mi hermana quiere cambiar su vestido por otro.My sister wants to replace her dress with another one.
- Necesito reemplazar la ventana rota.I need to replace the broken window.
- ¿Puedes sustituirme en la reunión de hoy? Tengo un conflicto de horarios.Can you replace me in the meeting today? I have a schedule conflict.
- Maria reemplazó la silla vieja por una nueva.Maria replaced the old chair with a new one.
- Vamos a cambiar las piezas dañadas del coche.We are going to replace the damaged parts of the car.
- Es hora de cambiar las pilas del control remoto.It's time to replace the batteries in the remote control.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are in their kitchen discussing a broken appliance.
- DanielElena, ¿podemos reemplazar este microondas?Elena, can we replace this microwave?
- ElenaSí, Daniel, ya no funciona bien.Yes, Daniel, it doesn't work well anymore.
- DanielBuscaré uno nuevo en la tienda mañana.I will look for a new one at the store tomorrow.
- ElenaPerfecto, gracias por encargarte de eso.Perfect, thanks for taking care of that.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry reemplazar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
