ocurre
“ocurre” means “it happens” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
it happens, it occurs
Also: it takes place
📝 In Action
¿Qué ocurre?
A2What's happening?
El accidente ocurrió en la mañana.
B1The accident occurred in the morning.
No te preocupes, no ocurre nada.
A2Don't worry, nothing is happening.
it occurs to (someone)
Also: to think of, to dawn on (someone)
📝 In Action
Se me ocurre una idea.
B1An idea occurs to me. (I have an idea.)
¿Se te ocurre algo para cenar?
B1Can you think of anything for dinner?
A mi jefe se le ocurrió una nueva estrategia.
B2My boss came up with a new strategy.
¡Ni se te ocurra tocar eso!
B2Don't you even think about touching that!
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: ocurre
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly says 'I just had a great idea!'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'occurrere', which meant 'to run against, to meet, to present oneself'. Over time, the sense of something 'presenting itself' evolved into our modern meanings of an event 'happening' or an idea 'presenting itself' in the mind.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
💡 Master Spanish
Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the real difference between '¿Qué ocurre?' and '¿Qué pasa?'
They both mean 'What's happening?' and you can use them almost interchangeably. '¿Qué pasa?' is a bit more common and informal in everyday conversation. '¿Qué ocurre?' is perfectly normal too, but can sometimes sound slightly more serious or formal, as if you're asking about a specific problem or event.