German word

vorkommen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈfoːɐ̯ˌkɔmən/

Meaning

  • verbhappen

Example

Das kommt oft vor.

It often happens.

Illustration for vorkommen (happen)

More examples

Bei neuen Versionen können Fehler vorkommen.

Errors can occur in new versions.

Core concept

An event or thing enters the scene often enough to be noticed, or is present in a particular setting.

Common phrases

  • häufig vorkommen

    occur frequently

  • in freier Wildbahn vorkommen

    occur in the wild

  • bei neuen Versionen vorkommen

    occur in new versions

Similar words

passieren: To happen unexpectedly, especially in everyday speech about accidents or mishaps.
stattfinden: To actually take place as a planned event, meeting, or ceremony.
geschehen: To happen during the course of time, often referring to an event.
auftreten: To appear in a particular situation as a symptom, difficulty, or problem.

Definition in German

mit bestimmter Häufigkeit auftreten; an einem Ort oder in einer Situation beobachtet werden

Word origin

The verb combines the native German elements vor and kommen, and its literal sense of coming forward extended to events occurring and things being present or appearing.

Usage tips

  • The pattern "es kommt vor, dass ..." introduces a clause meaning that something happens, while "in der Natur vorkommen" means being found in nature.

Other meanings

  • existverb
  • appearverb

Opposites

Related words

  • das Vorkommenpresencenoun
  • vorkommendoccurringadjective

Word lists with this word