Eingesprungen

Eingesprungen is the past participle of the German verb einspringen. It is used in two main ways: as part of the perfect or pluperfect tense with the auxiliary sein (Ich bin eingesprungen; Er ist eingesprungen) to indicate that someone has stepped in to replace someone else, and as an attributive or predicative adjective meaning “substituted in” or “acting as a temporary replacement” (der eingesprungene Ersatzspieler).

In usage, eingesprungen describes a temporary substitution in various contexts, notably in sports, the performing arts, and professional settings. The substitution is typically not permanent and can be planned or spontaneous. The expression is common when a person fills in due to absence, illness, or a last‑minute need. Phrases like für jemanden einspringen or spontan eingesprungen are often employed to convey the circumstance.

Examples:

- Als der Stürmer ausfiel, sprang der Ersatzspieler kurzfristig ein.

- Sie sprang für ihre Kollegin ein, die krank geworden war.

- Der eingesprungene Musiker lieferte eine überzeugende Leistung.

Etymology and form: eingesprungen is formed from the prefix ein- plus springen, with the standard German past participle ending -ge- to produce eingesprungen. As an adjective, it agrees with the noun it modifies, e.g., ein eingesprungener Ersatzspieler. It is not capitalized unless it starts a sentence. Related terms include einspringen (to step in), vertreten (to substitute for someone), and übernehmen (to take over).

See also: Ersatzspieler, Vertretung, Einspringen.