indtræffer

Indtræffer is a Danish verb meaning to occur, take place, or happen. It is used mainly in formal, academic, or literary Danish to indicate that an event or circumstance comes into being or enters into a situation. The construction often uses det or at, for example: “Det indtræffer ofte i historiske analyser” or “Det kan indtræffe pludseligt.” The verb emphasizes the occurrence of something rather than an agent causing it.

Etymology and meaning: Indtræffe is formed with the prefix ind- (“in” or “into”) combined with træffe, a verb historically linked to meeting or striking, and has developed a figurative sense of something that comes about or happens. Over time it has acquired a relatively formal tone.

Usage: In everyday speech, Danes more commonly use verbs such as ske, forekomme, or opstå to express that something happens. Indtræffer, by contrast, appears primarily in written language—particularly in legal texts, statistical or historical writing, and formal reports—where precision about events and their timing is important.

Grammatical note: Indtræffe is conjugated like a typical Danish verb. The present tense in the third person singular is indtræffer. For other tenses and the past participle forms, standard Danish verbal conjugation rules apply.

See also: træffe; ske; forekomme; opstå.