vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Acontecer" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to take place", and "ocurrir" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to happen". Learn more about the difference between "acontecer" and "ocurrir" below.
acontecer(
ah
-
kohn
-
teh
-
sehr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to take place
Estos trágicos sucesos acontecieron el 3 de octubre de 1998.These tragic events took place on October 3rd, 1998.
b. to happen
Vivimos en un mundo cambiante, en el que es difícil vislumbrar lo que va a acontecer.We live in a changing world, where it is difficult to discern what will happen.
c. to occur
El accidente aconteció cuando el vehículo patinó en el hielo.The accident occurred when the vehicle skidded on the ice.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
a. events
Nos gusta mantenernos informados del acontecer internacional.We like to keep up to date with international events.
ocurrir(
oh
-
koo
-
rreer
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
ocurrirse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to occur to
Se me ocurre que nunca te felicité cuando te casaste.It occurs to me that I never congratulated you when you got married.
b. to have an idea
Se le ocurrió vender en mercados locales.He had the idea of selling at local markets.
c. to think of
¿Se te ocurre un título para nuestro proyecto?Can you think of a title for our project?
