zutreffen

Zutreffen is a German verb that denotes two related ideas: that a statement or description is true or accurate, and that a rule, description, or claim is applicable to a given situation. In usage, it is common to say that something “trifft zu” or “trifft nicht zu,” meaning that it applies or that it does not apply.

Etymology and grammar: zutreffen is formed from the verb treffen with the separable prefix zu-, yielding a verb that behaves like other separable-prefix verbs in German. In the present tense the form is two words, for example: Es trifft zu. In subordinate clauses or with other subjects, you likewise use trifft zu or trifft nicht zu. The perfect tense is typically built with zugetroffen and the auxiliary haben: Der Hinweis hat zugetroffen.

Usage and context: zutreffen is used in formal, analytic, and evaluative contexts, including legal, academic, scientific, and journalistic writing, as well as daily speech. It commonly introduces agreements with previously stated propositions, e.g., “Die Behauptung trifft zu” (The claim is true/accurate). It can also describe the applicability of a rule or description to a particular case, e.g., “Diese Regel trifft in diesem Fall zu.” The expression is often preferred over simpler synonyms when precision about applicability or truth is intended.

Relation to related forms: zutreffend is the adjective meaning “applicable” or “relevant/accurate,” as in “eine zutreffende Beschreibung.” Das Zutreffen is a noun form used in more formal or technical registers to refer to the fact that something is applicable or true.

In summary, zutreffen centers on truth and applicability, with common usage in phrases like “das trifft zu” to confirm or deny statements, and it has the derived forms zutreffend and das Zutreffen for adjectival and nominal uses.