Word
happen
Phoneticshap·pen, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈhæpən/
UK/hˈæpən/
Definitions
01to occur
A1 · Beginner General-service
v. to take place or occur, especially without being planned.
v. to occur or take place; used to describe events or situations that come into existence.
日本語:起こる※
“I was standing at the bus stop when the accident happened.”
“It is difficult to predict exactly what will happen when the new regulations are finally implemented next month.”
Usage
This verb is intransitive and never takes a direct object.
Pitfall
The accident was happened at noon.
The accident happened at noon.
The verb 'happen' is intransitive and cannot be used in the passive voice.
Synonyms
02by chance
A2 · Elementary General-service
v. to do something by accident or without planning to.
v. to do or experience something by chance; typically followed by a to-infinitive.
“I happened to see your brother at the supermarket yesterday.”
“If you happen to encounter any technical difficulties during the installation, please consult the troubleshooting guide provided in the appendix.”
Usage
Usually followed by 'to' and another verb.
Synonyms
03to become trendy
C1 · Advanced Informal
v. to become popular, fashionable, or the 'place to be'.
v. to become fashionable, trendy, or a center of social activity.
“This neighborhood is really starting to happen now that the new art galleries have opened.”
“The downtown district is where it's all happening these days, with boutique hotels and rooftop bars appearing on every corner.”
04maybe
C2 · Proficiency Dialect · British English
adv. a word used in some local areas to mean 'perhaps' or 'maybe'.
adv. functioning as a sentential adverb meaning 'perhaps' or 'maybe'.
“Happen he'll come by later this evening.”
“Happen it's for the best that the meeting was cancelled, given the current weather conditions.”
Teaching tip
This usage is primarily found in Northern English dialects; learners should recognize it but avoid using it in standard academic or professional writing.
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “happen” in context.
Real-World Examples
“Not knowing at first what had happened, she noticed a brown discoloration in the water and a sperm whale.” Etymology
From Middle English happenen, hapnen, augmented from Middle English happen (“to come to pass, happen”), perhaps from Old English hæppan (“to move accidentally, slip”) and/or from Old Norse happa, heppa, from Proto-Germanic *hampijaną (“to fit in, be fitting”). Equivalent to hap (“a chance, occurrence, byfall”) + -en (verbal suffix).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Idioms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A1 · BeginnerOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/happen
※ 機械で選んだ訳語です。ネイティブスピーカーによる確認はまだです。
「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0