zu|stoßen
Translation
to happen to, to befall, to join
Examples
Mir ist etwas Schlimmes zugestoßen.
Something bad happened to me.
Er ist später zur Gruppe zugestoßen.
He joined the group later.
Grammar Patterns
j-m zustoßen to happen ((to sb.)) What happened to him?
zu+3 zustoßen to join ((sth.)) She joined the tour group.
Similar Words
Synonyms: passieren, geschehen (to happen); sich anschließen (to join)
Etymology
From 'zu' (to, towards) and 'stoßen' (to push, bump). It implies something 'bumping into' you, or you 'pushing towards' a group.
Memory Tips
Imagine an event 'bumping' ('stoßen') 'into' ('zu') you. Or imagine 'pushing' ('stoßen') yourself 'towards' ('zu') a group to join them.