Ocurren

Ocurren is the third-person plural present indicative form of the Spanish verb ocurrir. The verb means to happen, to take place, or to occur, and its use covers events, phenomena, or situations that come about or become apparent. The form ocurren is commonly employed to describe multiple actions or events happening in the present, often in general statements or reports.

Etymology and meaning

Ocurrir derives from Latin occurre, occurrere, meaning to run toward, to meet, or to happen. Over time, the meaning broadened in Spanish to indicate that events unfold or take place. The related noun ocurrencia refers to an occurrence or an idea that arises, reflecting the same root.

Usage and examples

Ocurren is versatile in everyday Spanish. For example: “Durante la noche ocurren varios incidentes.” or “En la ciudad ocurren cambios importantes.” It can also appear in impersonal or collective statements such as “Ocurren cosas extrañas” to note that peculiar events are happening. When speaking about something that happens to or for a person, otros verb forms may be used, such as “le ocurren ideas” (they have ideas come to them) or “me ocurre” for something that occurs to me.

Related forms and nuances

Ocurrir is closely related to suceder and acontecer, which share similar meanings of “to happen,” though ocurrir is often preferred for routine events or things that emerge or arise. The phrase “qué ocurre” asks what is happening, while “qué ocurreis” is rarely used, since you would typically use “qué sucede” or “qué está pasando.” A related reflexive form, ocurrirse, describes ideas or plans that occur to someone, as in “se me ocurre una solución.”

In sum, ocurren functions as a common verb form to report plural events or happenings in the present, rooted in a Latin origin and closely linked to related verbs that describe events unfolding.