How to Say "to happen" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to happen” is “pasar” — use 'pasar' for general, everyday events or situations, often used in questions about what is occurring or what is wrong.
pasar
pa-sarpaˈsaɾ
Examples
¿Qué pasa contigo?
What's happening with you?
¿Qué pasa? ¿Por qué estás tan callado?
What's wrong? Why are you so quiet?
No te preocupes, no pasa nada.
Don't worry, it's nothing / nothing is wrong.
Me pasó algo increíble hoy en el trabajo.
Something incredible happened to me today at work.
When something happens *to* someone
To say something happened to someone, you often put a little word like 'me', 'te', or 'le' before 'pasar'. For example, 'Me pasó algo' means 'Something happened to me'.
ocurrir
oh-koo-reero.kuˈriɾ
Examples
No sé qué ocurrió en la calle.
I don't know what happened in the street.
¿Qué ocurrió anoche en el parque?
What happened last night in the park?
Las inundaciones ocurren cada primavera.
The floods happen every spring.
Si esto vuelve a ocurrir, tendremos que hablar.
If this happens again, we will have to talk.
Impersonal Use
In this meaning, 'ocurrir' is usually used in the third person (like 'it happens' or 'they happen') because the event or thing is the focus, not a person performing the action.
Confusing Transitive and Impersonal
Mistake: “Yo ocurro el problema.”
Correction: Ocurrió el problema. ('Ocurrir' doesn't take a direct object; the thing that happened is the subject.)
suceder
soo-seh-DEHRsu.θeˈðeɾ
Examples
Todo sucedió muy rápido.
Everything happened very quickly.
¿Qué sucedió anoche en la fiesta?
What happened last night at the party?
Las cosas suceden por una razón.
Things happen for a reason.
Si sucede algo, llámame inmediatamente.
If something occurs, call me immediately.
Impersonal Use
When talking about general events, 'suceder' is most often used in the 'él/ella/usted' form (sucede) or the 'ellos/ellas/ustedes' form (suceden), similar to how we use 'it' in English ('It happens').
Confusing with 'Pasar'
Mistake: “Using 'suceder' for everything when 'pasar' (to pass/happen) is usually more common in casual conversation.”
Correction: 'Pasar' is the everyday choice, 'suceder' is slightly more formal or used when asking for a detailed account of an event.
darse
DAR-sehˈdaɾse
Examples
El buen tiempo se da en verano.
Good weather occurs/is found in the summer.
Este tipo de flor solo se da en climas fríos.
This type of flower only grows/is found in cold climates.
Si se da la oportunidad, viajaremos.
If the opportunity arises (happens), we will travel.
¿Se da bien la agricultura en esta zona?
Does agriculture do well (yield results) in this area?
Impersonal Use
When used in this sense, 'darse' often uses the 'se' form, focusing on the event or item, not who is doing the action (e.g., 'el caso se da').
acontecer
ah-kohn-teh-SEHRakonteˈθeɾ
Examples
El destino le hizo acontecer algo extraordinario.
Destiny made something extraordinary happen to him.
Nadie sabe qué va a acontecer en el futuro.
Nobody knows what is going to happen in the future.
Los hechos que están por acontecer cambiarán nuestra historia.
The events that are about to take place will change our history.
Debemos estar preparados para cualquier cosa que pueda acontecer.
We must be prepared for anything that might occur.
Mainly for Things, Not People
This verb is almost always used with an event as the subject (like 'the accident' or 'the meeting'). You will rarely say 'I happen' or 'You happen' in Spanish.
Spelling Change
When the verb needs an 'o' or 'a' sound at the end (like in the first person present 'yo'), the 'c' changes to 'zc' to keep the sound soft: 'acontezco'.
Using it for lost items
Mistake: “No sé qué aconteció con mis llaves.”
Correction: No sé qué pasó con mis llaves. Use 'pasar' for everyday situations like missing keys; 'acontecer' is for big, formal events.
transcurrir
trahns-koo-reertɾanskuˈriɾ
Examples
El tiempo transcurrió lentamente.
Time passed/unfolded slowly.
La reunión transcurrió sin problemas.
The meeting took place without any problems.
La infancia de la autora transcurrió en un pequeño pueblo.
The author's childhood unfolded in a small town.
Describing the Manner
When used for events, it is almost always followed by an adverb like 'con normalidad' (normally) or 'sin incidentes' (without incidents) to explain HOW the event went.
General vs. Specific Events
Related Translations
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