to happen
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to happen
To occur or happen, usually in connection with an unexpected, often negative or unusual event.
Die Polizei befragt Zeugen, um herauszufinden, was genau vorgefallen ist.
The police are questioning witnesses to find out exactly what happened.
'Vorfallen' (to happen) is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'vor' goes at the end, while in a subordinate clause it remains attached to the verb.
Gestern Abend ist hier etwas Seltsames vorgefallen.
Something strange happened here last night.
Since 'vorfallen' (to happen) describes an event or a change, the perfect tense is always formed with the auxiliary verb 'sein' (to be), not with 'haben' (to have).
Was ist denn hier vorgefallen?
What on earth happened here?
The verb 'vorfallen' (to happen) is usually used for unexpected, unusual, or negative events. It often has a more serious undertone than 'passieren' (to happen).
Nach dem Streit fragte sie ihn, ob so etwas schon einmal vorgefallen sei.
After the argument, she asked him whether something like that had ever happened before.
to happen / pass
Passieren and vorfallen can both refer to an event or incident. Vorfallen focuses more strongly on something unusual, noteworthy, or usually problematic and sounds somewhat more formal. Passieren suits a neutral event; vorfallen is often more precise for a special or negative incident.
Auf dem Schulweg ist heute etwas Ungewöhnliches vorgefallen.
Something unusual happened on the way to school today.
Auf dem Schulweg ist heute nichts Ungewöhnliches passiert.
Nothing unusual happened on the way to school today.
