English–Japanese
“happen” in Japanese
Japanese
Pronunciation
Romajiokoru
Example
明日、何が起こりますか？asu nan ga o ko ri ma su ka
What will happen tomorrow?
How to say “happen” in Japanese
“Happen” in Japanese is 起こる (okoru).
起こる (okoru) focuses on an event emerging or unfolding as a result of circumstances rather than on an agent making it happen.
Example sentences with 起こる
休み時間に楽しいことが起こります。yasu mi ji kan ni tano shi i ko to ga o ko ri ma su
Fun things happen during recess.
旅行中に思いがけないことが起こることもあります。ryo kō chū ni omo i ga ke na i ko to ga o ko ru ko to mo a ri ma su
Unexpected things can happen during a trip.
Tips for using 起こる
- 起こる (okoru) can describe both expected and unexpected events, while 起きる (okiru) also means "to wake up" and therefore has a separate everyday use.