Passer vs. Arriver: to happen
The French verbs passer and arriver can both translate to "to happen" in English, but they are used differently and carry distinct nuances.
Passer: to happen by passing or spending time
passer* originally means "to pass" (physically going by or spending time). When used to mean "happen," it often implies that something occurred in the course of events or time passing.
- passer: to happen (something occurred), to spend time, or to go by
- Implication: the event is part of a sequence, often fleeting or incidental
- Common constructions: passer + object (something happens to someone), or passer + par (to go through)
Example:
| French Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| Qu’est-ce qui te passe ? | What’s happening to you? |
| Il m’est passé quelque chose hier. | Something happened to me yesterday. |
| Le temps passe vite. | Time passes quickly. |
Arriver: to happen as an occurrence or event
arriver* literally means "to arrive." When used to mean "happen," it focuses on the occurrence or taking place of an event, often with a sense of surprise or significance.
- arriver: to happen, to occur, to take place
- Implication: the event arrives or comes about, sometimes unexpectedly
- Usually impersonal or neutral
Example:
| French Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| Que s’est-il arrivé ? | What happened? |
| Il lui est arrivé un accident. | She had an accident. |
| Tout peut arriver. | Anything can happen. |
Summary: when to use each verb
| Usage Point | Passer | Arriver |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | To happen as something passes by or occurs in passing | To happen as an event or occurrence ''' |
| Focus | The event is part of a sequence or time passing | The event arrives or takes place (often unexpectedly) |
| Construction | Often used with an indirect object (quelque chose m’est passé) | Often used with indirect object introduced by à (il lui est arrivé) |
| Examples | Il m’est passé quelque chose | Il lui est arrivé quelque chose |
| Common Contexts | Informal: Something happens to someone in passing | Neutral/formal: An event or incident occurs |
Note on Constructions
- With passer (to happen), use: *Quelque chose me passe* (something happens to me).
- With arriver (to happen), use: *Quelque chose m’arrive* (something happens to me).
- Both verbs often appear in perfect tense with être when reflecting a change of state or movement: Il m’est arrivé (something happened to me).
passer = to happen by something passing or occurring in the course of time (Quelque chose m’est passé*).
arriver = to happen as an event arrives or comes about (Quelque chose m’est arrivé).
In summary, ...
Translate into French: ‘She had an unexpected visit.’ using arriver.
Elle lui est arrivée une visite imprévue.
The correct use of arriver to indicate an event happening to someone is: "Elle lui est arrivée une visite imprévue." The indirect object "lui" shows the event was experienced by her.
Flashcards (1 of 6)
- English Example: What’s happening to you?
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
