Vertretene

Vertretene is a German term derived from the verb vertreten, meaning to represent. It mainly appears as a past participle used adjectivally or as a nominalized form. As an attributive adjective, vertretene describes entities that are represented by someone else. For example: der vertretene Kläger, die vertretene Partei, das vertretene Interesse. With a definite article, the ending is -e in singular: der vertretene Mann, die vertretene Frau, das vertretene Kind. In the plural the ending changes to -en: die vertretenen Personen. With other determiners, endings vary according to case, gender and number (e.g., einem vertretenen Mann, eines vertretenen Interesses, ein vertretenes Problem).

The term can also function as a noun in a nominalized form, particularly in legal or political contexts. Die Vertretenen (capitalized) is used to refer to the group of people who are represented; das Vertretene is much less common but may appear in some texts.

Etymology and relation to related terms: vertreten is a common verb meaning to represent or stand in for someone. It differs from Vertreter (the representative) and Vertretung (representation or delegation). In legal and organizational language, vertretene is often found in phrases describing interests, parties, or persons that are being represented by a proxy, attorney, or elected advocate.

Usage notes: vertretene can express passive or representational relationships, as in der vertretene Angeklagte (the represented defendant) or das vertretene Interesse (the represented interest). It is distinct from, though related to, terms for representation and representation rights in German law and governance.