to replace, to stand in for
[verb]
[ver-van-gen, ver-ving, ver-van-gen]

"Vervangen" means "to replace" or "to stand in for". The verb has no relation with "vangen" which means  "to catch". As the English "to replace", you can use "vervangen" for almost anything: from broken light bulbs to kneecaps to people.. The related noun – used for people only – is "vervanger" ("substitute"). The adjective related to "vervangen" is "vervangbaar" ("replaceable").

Examples:
– "De spits werd in de laatste minuut van de wedstrijd vervangen. Zijn vervanger: een middenvelder." 
("The forward was replaced in the last minute of the game. His substitute: a midfielder.")

– "De binnenband van mijn fiets was helemaal beschadigd, dus ik heb hem vervangen." 
("The innertyre of my bicycle was completely damaged, so I replaced it.")

– "De blauwe envelop van de Belastingdient wordt binnen enkele jaren vervangen door een internetformulier." 
("The blue envelope of the Tax Authority will be replaced by an internet form within a few years.")

– "De VS gaan een van hun generaals in Afghanistan vervangen." 
("The United States will replace one of their generals in Afghanistan.")

– "Als je niet naar die afspraak kan, kun je dan vervanging regelen?" 
("If you can’t make that appointment, can you arrange a replacement?")

– "Mijn mobiel valt de hele tijd uit; hij is dringend toe aan vervanging." 
("My cellpone turns itself off all the time; it urgently needs replacement.")

Expressions:
– "Vervangend vervoer": substitute transportation (e.g. as part of your car insurance service).

Related words:
– Vervanging: replacement [noun] [de vervanging, de vervangingen].
– Vervanger: replacement, substitute [noun] [de vervanger, de vervangers].
– (On)vervangbaar: (ir)replaceable [adjective/adverb].
– Vangen: to catch [verb] [ving, gevangen].