A fixed expression meaning that someone or something appears or happens at exactly the right, suitable moment.
example
Dein Angebot, mir beim Umzug zu helfen, kommt wie gerufen!
Your offer to help me move comes at just the right time!
Usage tips
Participle in idioms
'Gekommen' is the past participle of the verb 'kommen' (to come). In these fixed expressions, it is not used to form the perfect tense, but is part of an idiomatic expression.
EXAMPLE
Er ist gestern spät nach Hause gekommen. (Perfekt)
He came home late yesterday. (Perfect tense)
Dative construction
In the expression 'wie gerufen kommen' (to come at just the right time), the person for whom something is suitable can be in the dative. The subject of the sentence is the thing or person that appears at the right time.
EXAMPLE
Der Kaffee, den du mitbringst, kommt mir gerade wie gerufen.
The coffee you're bringing comes at just the right time for me.
Fixed structure
The idiom 'gekommen, um zu bleiben' (here to stay) has a fixed structure with an 'um ... zu' infinitive construction. It is used to say that a new trend or development has become established.
EXAMPLE
Das Homeoffice ist für viele Firmen nicht nur eine Notlösung, es ist gekommen, um zu bleiben.
For many companies, working from home is not just an emergency solution; it is here to stay.
Compare with
near_synonym
gekommen vs rechtzeitig
in time / on time
'rechtzeitig' and 'wie gerufen gekommen' both have to do with a suitable moment. 'rechtzeitig' says in a neutral way that something happens early enough for it to still work out. The expression 'wie gerufen kommen' emphasizes more strongly that someone or something appears at exactly the right moment and is very helpful. It is often used when a situation suddenly gets better. The words are therefore not simply interchangeable: 'rechtzeitig' fits appointments and deadlines, while 'wie gerufen gekommen' fits help or a lucky moment.
gekommen
Du bist mit dem Werkzeug wie gerufen gekommen.
You came with the tools at just the right time.
rechtzeitig
Die Fahrerin bremst rechtzeitig vor der roten Ampel.