occur
word
/əˈkɝ/
uh-KUR
/əkˈɜː/
uh-KUR
Definition
To happen or exist in a particular situation or place. It can also mean to come into someone's mind as a thought or idea.
Usage & Nuances
"Occur" is more formal than "happen" and is common in writing, news, and academic contexts: "The problem occurred at night." It is also used in patterns like "occur in nature" and "It occurred to me that..." Learners often say "what was occurred"; use "what occurred" or more naturally "what happened."
Spanish: ocurrir - sucederPortuguese (BR): ocorrer - acontecerPortuguese (PT): ocorrer - acontecerChinese (Simplified): 发生 - 出现 - 想到Chinese (Traditional): 發生 - 出現 - 想到Hindi: घटित होना - होना - सूझनाArabic: يحدث - يقع - يخطر ببالBengali: ঘটা - ঘটে যাওয়া - মনে আসাRussian: происходить - случаться - прийти в головуJapanese: 起こる - 思い浮かぶVietnamese: xảy ra - xuất hiện - nảy ra (trong đầu)Korean: 발생하다 - 떠오르다Turkish: olmak - meydana gelmek - aklına gelmekUrdu: واقع ہونا - پیش آنا - ذہن میں آناIndonesian: terjadi - muncul - terpikir
Example Sentences
The accident occurred near the school.
basic
These birds only occur in this part of the country.
basic
It suddenly occurred to me that I forgot my keys.
basic
Most of the damage occurred during the storm last night.
natural
If any problems occur, call me right away.
natural
It never occurred to us that she might say no.
natural