How to Say "happening" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “happening” is “pasando” — use this when asking 'What is happening?' in a general, immediate, or informal context.
pasando
pa-san-dopaˈsando
Examples
¿Qué está pasando aquí?
What is happening here?
Estaba pasando por tu calle cuando te vi.
I was passing by your street when I saw you.
Lo estamos pasando muy bien en las vacaciones.
We are having a very good time on vacation.
The Spanish '-ing' Form
'Pasando' is the '-ing' version of the verb 'pasar'. You almost always use it right after a form of 'estar' (to be) to describe an action that is happening right now. For example, 'Estoy pasando' means 'I am passing'.
Not for Everything '-ing'
Mistake: “Using 'pasando' as a descriptive word, like 'un tren pasando' for 'a passing train'.”
Correction: In English, '-ing' words can describe nouns (a 'running' man). In Spanish, you can't usually do this. You would say 'un tren que pasa' (a train that is passing). 'Pasando' is for actions in progress, not descriptions.
ocurriendo
oh-koo-RYEN-dohokuˈrjen̪do
Examples
¿Qué está ocurriendo aquí? Hay mucho ruido.
What is happening here? There is a lot of noise.
La ceremonia está ocurriendo en este momento.
The ceremony is occurring at this moment.
No te preocupes, no está ocurriendo nada grave.
Don't worry, nothing serious is happening.
Forming the Continuous Tense
To show that something is currently 'happening,' you must use the verb 'estar' (to be) followed by 'ocurriendo': 'El cambio está ocurriendo' (The change is happening).
Always Ends in -iendo
Since the base verb 'ocurrir' ends in -ir, its present participle form always ends in -iendo. This form is always the same, regardless of who or what is doing the action.
Using 'Ser' Instead of 'Estar'
Mistake: “El evento es ocurriendo.”
Correction: El evento está ocurriendo. Use 'estar' when talking about actions currently in progress.
sucediendo
soo-seh-dee-EN-dohsu.seˈðjen.do
Examples
No te preocupes, no está sucediendo nada malo.
Don't worry, nothing bad is happening.
La reunión ha estado sucediendo por más de dos horas.
The meeting has been happening for more than two hours.
Es increíble lo rápido que está sucediendo el cambio en la tecnología.
It's incredible how fast the change in technology is occurring.
The Continuous Action Form
This form ('-iendo') is used to describe an action that is in progress right now. It is almost always paired with a conjugated form of the verb 'estar' (to be), making the 'present continuous' tense.
Using 'Ser' instead of 'Estar'
Mistake: “La reunión es sucediendo.”
Correction: La reunión está sucediendo. (Remember: 'estar' is always used for temporary, ongoing actions like the gerund.)
Confusing Gerunds
Mistake: “Sucediendo is sometimes confused with 'siguiendo' (following).”
Correction: Listen carefully to the 'c' sound (suceder) versus the 'g' sound (seguir). They are completely different verbs.
evento
eh-VEHN-toheˈβento
Examples
El evento de recaudación de fondos fue un éxito total.
The fundraising event was a total success.
¿Vas a asistir al evento deportivo este fin de semana?
Are you going to attend the sporting event this weekend?
La invención de la imprenta fue un evento que cambió la historia.
The invention of the printing press was an event that changed history.
Masculine Noun Rule
Since 'evento' is a masculine noun, always use the masculine article 'el' before it: 'el evento'.
Confusing Gender
Mistake: “La evento fue grande.”
Correction: El evento fue grande. (Remember that almost all Spanish nouns ending in -o are masculine.)
suceso
soo-SAY-sosuˈseso
Examples
Fue un suceso muy extraño.
It was a very strange event.
Los periódicos informan sobre los sucesos de la noche.
The newspapers report on the incidents of the night.
Nadie pudo prever este triste suceso.
No one could foresee this sad event.
It's always masculine
Even if the event itself was feminine, like 'una fiesta', the word 'suceso' is always masculine (el suceso).
Plural for news
When you see 'Sucesos' as a heading in a newspaper, it specifically refers to 'Crime and Incidents'—the section where they report on accidents or police news.
The 'Success' Trap
Mistake: “Using 'suceso' to mean winning or doing well.”
Correction: Use 'éxito' for success. 'Suceso' just means something happened, whether it was good or bad.
Gerunds vs. Nouns
Related Translations
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