Ersatz Meaning in English
word
ˈɛɹˌsɑts/, /ˈɛɹˌzɑts
UR-sahts
ˈɜːsæts
UR-sats
Definition
Something made or used as a substitute, usually of lower quality than the original. Often used to describe an imitation product.
Usage & Nuances
Mostly formal or literary. Used to point out when something is not the genuine original and is often inferior ('ersatz coffee', 'ersatz leather'). Not usually used for small, unimportant substitutions.
Spanish: sucedáneo - imitaciónPortuguese (BR): substituto - imitaçãoPortuguese (PT): substituto - imitaçãoChinese (Simplified): 仿制的 - 替代品Chinese (Traditional): 仿製的 - 替代品Hindi: नकली - कृत्रिमArabic: بديل مزيّف - تقليديBengali: নকল - প্রতিস্থাপক - মানহীন বিকল্পRussian: эрзац - заменитель (низкого качества)Japanese: 代用品 - 模造品Vietnamese: hàng thay thế (chất lượng kém) - hàng giảKorean: 대용품 - 가짜Turkish: sahte - taklit - yapayUrdu: نقلی - جعلی - بدلIndonesian: pengganti (kualitas rendah) - tiruan
Example Sentences
We drank ersatz coffee during the shortage.
basic
This wallet is made of ersatz leather.
basic
He bought an ersatz diamond ring for the play.
basic
People could taste that the chocolate was ersatz.
natural
The hotel looked fancy but felt a bit ersatz inside.
natural
After a while, everyone could tell the painting was an ersatz copy.
natural