German Conversation · Level 166
30 words
German word
zukommen
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈtsuːˌkɔmən/
Meaning
- verbapproach
Example
Die Katze kommt auf mich zu.
The cat is coming toward me.
More examples
Die Verhandlungsparteien kommen auf eine Einigung zu.
The negotiating parties are moving toward an agreement.
Core concept
A benefit, duty, or approaching event comes into a person's sphere and belongs there.
Common phrases
auf jemanden zukommen
approach someone
auf eine Einigung zukommen
move toward an agreement
Similar words
sich nähern: To draw steadily closer to someone or something.
kommen: To move in a particular direction and arrive there.
herankommen: To move close enough to touch or reach something.
Definition in German
etwas kommt jemandem zu = jemandem zustehen, daneben: (auf jemanden) zukommen = sich nähern oder herankommen
Word origin
German formed zukommen from zu- ('toward' or 'to') and kommen ('come'), with the concrete sense of coming toward someone developing into the abstract sense of falling to that person.
Usage tips
- In the entitlement sense, the recipient appears in the dative, as in 'Das Geld kommt ihm zu', while the item is the subject.