Two German verbs that both mean “to happen” are passieren and geschehen. They are similar in meaning but differ in usage, formality, and style.
- passieren — more common, used in everyday contexts
- geschehen — more formal/literary, often found in written or elevated speech
- Neither takes a direct object; both describe something happening or occurring.
Here’s how to use each one:
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Usage of "passieren"
passieren is the more commonly used verb in everyday German. It can apply to all kinds of situations, from accidents to small events. It’s also the verb used in the common phrase:
- Was ist passiert? — “What happened?”
Examples:
| German Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| Was ist heute in der Stadt passiert? | What happened in town today? |
| Dieser Unfall ist gestern passiert. | This accident happened yesterday. |
| Wie ist das passieren können? | How could that have happened? |
- passieren can also mean “to pass through,” but the context of “happening” is more common in everyday conversation.
- When talking about accidents or unexpected events, passieren is usually the go-to verb.
- You can use passieren without a subject, or introduce one if needed (e.g., Etwas ist passiert).
Usage of "geschehen"
geschehen is more formal and somewhat old-fashioned. You will encounter it in written texts, speeches, and formal announcements. It has a gravity or solemn tone that passieren lacks.
- A common phrase is: Es ist geschehen — “It has happened.”
Examples:
| German Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| Was ist geschehen? | What has happened? |
| Ein Wunder ist geschehen. | A miracle has happened. |
| Nichts Geschehenes kann rückgängig gemacht werden. | Nothing that has happened can be undone. |
- geschehen always uses sein as the auxiliary verb in the perfect tense (e.g., ist geschehen).
- Because it sounds more formal, using geschehen in casual conversation might seem stiff or old-fashioned.
- It is often found in contexts like news reports, historical accounts, or formal statements.
Which auxiliary verb do you use with both 'passieren' and 'geschehen' when forming the perfect tense?
sein
Both ‘passieren’ and ‘geschehen’ use ‘sein’ as the auxiliary verb in the perfect tense because they describe a change of state or an event occurring.
Summary of Differences
| Feature | passieren | geschehen |
|---|---|---|
| Commonality | Very common in speech | More formal/literary |
| Typical Context | Everyday conversation, accidents | Formal writing, speeches |
| Connotation | Neutral, colloquial | Solemn, serious |
| Auxiliary Verb | sein (e.g., ist passiert) | sein (e.g., ist geschehen) |
| Usage Example | Was ist passiert? | Was ist geschehen? |
Both verbs convey the basic idea of something “happening,” but your choice depends on the tone and context of your communication.
- passieren is the safe default for almost any situation.
- Use geschehen when you want a more formal or literary tone.
- Avoid using geschehen in casual spoken German—it may sound overly stiff.
Now you can choose the right verb to express “to happen” in German — just consider the level of formality and the context!
Flashcards (1 of 6)
- English Example: What happened in town today?
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
