Befalls Meaning in English
word · lemma: befall
bɪˈfɔɫz
bih-FAWLZ
bɪfˈɔːlz
bif-AWLZ
Definition
If something bad or unexpected befalls someone, it happens to them, usually by chance.
Usage & Nuances
'Befall' is quite formal and mostly used for negative or serious events. Commonly written or literary; rarely used in casual speech. Usually followed by 'someone' or 'something bad,' e.g., 'disaster befalls him.' It does not fit with positive events.
Spanish: sucede - ocurre - sobrevienePortuguese (BR): acontece - sucede - sobrevémPortuguese (PT): acontece - sucede - sobrevémChinese (Simplified): 降临 - 发生 - 遭遇Chinese (Traditional): 降臨 - 發生 - 遭遇Hindi: घटित होना - आ पड़नाArabic: يحدث - يصيب - يحلّBengali: আঘাত হানা - আপতিত হওয়াRussian: постигать - случаться (о несчастье)Japanese: 降りかかるVietnamese: xảy ra (điều xấu)Korean: 닥치다 - 닥쳐오다Turkish: başına gelmek - meydana gelmek (kötü bir olay)Urdu: وَقُوع پَذِير ہونا - آ پڑناIndonesian: menimpa - terjadi pada (hal buruk)
Example Sentences
Whatever befell them that night changed everything.
natural
If disaster befalls the city again, people are ready this time.
natural
We hope no harm befalls you on your trip.
basic
Misfortune befell the small village after the storm.
basic
No one knows what will befall us in the future.
basic
Tragedy often befalls those who least expect it.
natural