verb
to happen, to pass
A2
Means 'to happen' and 'to pass' (to go by). Used for events: perfect typically with sein as in 'Es ist passiert'. Often takes a dative experiencer (Was ist dir passiert?). Non‑reflexive, regular weak verb; imperative forms are rare. Also used transitively for passing something by.
Examples
Was ist hier passiert?
What happened here?
Was passiert hier?
What's happening here?
Ein Fahrrad passierte mich auf der Straße.
A bike passed me on the street.
Details
Mnemonics
imagine an event passing by a street sign that says 'passieren'
sounds like 'pass here' — something passes or happens
Notes
Often used intransitively meaning 'to happen' (perfect with sein: 'es ist passiert'). Can also mean 'to pass' in the sense of move past. Person-based perfect forms (e.g. 'ich bin passiert') are generally not idiomatic; the impersonal 'es' is the normal subject for 'happen'. Passive constructions are normally inappropriate for the 'happen' sense. | Intransitive/impersonal use common; passive forms are not applicable for the 'happen' sense.