verb

happen

Translation

to happen, to occur, to take place

Accidents can happen to anyone.

What happened to your car?

I happened to see her yesterday.

((sth.)) happens for an event to occur An accident happened on the main road.

((sth.)) happens ((to sb./sth.)) for an event to affect someone or something What happened to you?

((sb.)) happen ((to-inf)) to do something by chance I happened to be out when you called.

Synonyms: occur, take place, transpire

From Old Norse 'happ', meaning 'chance, good luck'. It shares a root with 'happy'.

Think of the common question, 'What's happening?'. It asks what event is occurring.