Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Happen" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "happen", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
起こる
おこる (okoru)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
通りかかる
とおりかかる (toorikakaru)
B2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "happen" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 起こる and 通りかかる.
In Japanese, 起こる (おこる (okoru)) is typically associated with "to happen, to occur, to arise" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Intransitive verb. Used to describe events or phenomena that take place or emerge, often without direct human agency..
On the other hand, 通りかかる (とおりかかる (toorikakaru)) maps to "to happen to pass by" (Syllabus Level: B2) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR B2 vocabulary syllabus.. A literal translation of "happen" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "起こる"
突然、大きな地震が起こった。
A big earthquake suddenly occurred.
Bilingual Context for "通りかかる"
毎日、日本語を練習するために通りかかる。
Every day, I happen to pass by to practice Japanese.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "突然、大きな地震が起こった。" (Meaning: "A big earthquake suddenly occurred.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "起こる" fits here because it means "to happen, to occur, to arise" in the context of: "A big earthquake suddenly occurred.". "通りかかる" represents "to happen to pass by".