Translation guide
The English verb 'occur' has two main uses: (1) to say that an event or situation happens, and (2) to say that an idea or thought comes into your mind. Japanese uses different expressions for each.
To say that an event, incident, or situation happens, especially something unplanned or noteworthy.
To say that an idea, thought, or memory suddenly comes into your mind.
Literally 'float into one's head'. The most natural way to say an idea occurred to you.
いいアイデアが頭に浮かんだ。
A good idea occurred to me.
起こる is only for physical events or incidents. Using it for thoughts or ideas (e.g., アイデアが起こる) is unnatural. Use 浮かぶ or 思いつく instead.
発生する is more formal and often used in official contexts (accidents, system errors, outbreaks). 起こる is more everyday and covers a wider range of events, including natural phenomena.
An accident occurred.
地震はいつ起こるかわからない。
You never know when an earthquake will occur.
More formal than 起こる. Often used in news reports or official statements for incidents, outbreaks, or problems.
火災が発生しました。
A fire has occurred.
システムにエラーが発生した。
An error occurred in the system.
Used for planned events like meetings, ceremonies, or elections. Focuses on the event being held or carried out.
会議は来週行われる。
The meeting will occur next week.
オリンピックは4年に一度行われる。
The Olympics occur once every four years.
A very common verb meaning 'to be' or 'to exist', but can also mean 'to occur' for events, especially in casual speech. Often used with ことが.
そんなことがあったんだ。
So that kind of thing occurred, huh.
昨日、小さなトラブルがあった。
A small trouble occurred yesterday.
Often used for problems, changes, or phenomena that arise or come into being. Slightly formal.
問題が生じた場合は連絡してください。
If a problem occurs, please contact us.
ふと、彼の名前が頭に浮かんだ。
His name suddenly occurred to me.
Means 'to think of' or 'to hit upon an idea'. Often used when you actively come up with something.
解決策を思いついた。
A solution occurred to me.
誰かがそう言ったのを急に思いついた。
It suddenly occurred to me that someone had said that.
Similar to 頭に浮かぶ but with a slightly more emotional or reflective nuance.
ふと、そんな疑いが心に浮かんだ。
Such a doubt occurred to me.