Fenna
The english word 'serendipity' I am kindly asking someone who understands this word to explain it with examples. Thanks in advance!

Also, if someone needs help with learning Dutch, I would love to help you out!

Jun 6, 2018 9:56 PM
Comments · 5
2

"Serendipity" means "the good luck of finding something wonderful, when you are looking for something completely different," or "having a talent for finding good things by accident." The word is based on an old Persian folk tale, "The Three Princes of Serendip." 

Here are some examples of use. 

"I was looking for a book by Gabriel García Márquez. I didn't realize it would be alphabetized under 'G.' I was looking under 'M,' so I didn't find it. But, by serendipity, I found a novel by John P. Marquand that looked interesting, so I borrowed it and read it, and I loved it.

"Alexander Fleming wasn't looking for a drug when he discovered penicillin. It was pure serendipity."

"We got lost looking for the Cadillac Mountain trail. We pulled into a parking lot to check the map. Serendipitously, it was the parking lot for the Witch Hole Pond Trail. So, we decided to hike that trail instead, and we had a wonderful time."


June 7, 2018
2

I agree with the above, however, wanted to point out that serendipity is always positive-- it refers to finding good or valuable things.  So it is often used similarly as ¨by chance¨ or ¨by coincidence,¨ except only when talking about positive things that happen when you were not trying to make them happen. 

This site includes examples of usage https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/serendipity

June 7, 2018
2
Like the movie Serendipity, where the person finds love and was not looking for it.

Or like when you are looking for something you lost and you end up finding something you weren't looking for that would be really helpful for another situation you have at home or in life.

Like when you are solving a problem with a notebook, just writting ideas and because of that, you suddenly have an idea for another thing or situation or problem you have in your life or at school.

June 6, 2018
2
It's referred to something that you find by accident or surprise and you weren't looking for it
June 6, 2018
Furthermore, the word, 'serendipity' is actually derived from the old Persian word for present day Sri lanka, 'Serendip'.
August 14, 2018