Also means
to arise
Usage Note
Surgir is intransitive — subjects emerge on their own; you cannot surgir something. It is the go-to verb for unexpected or spontaneous appearances: problems, ideas, or opportunities that 'come up'. Conjugation note: like dirigir, the first-person present is surjo (not surgo).
Examples
"Surgieron varios problemas durante el proyecto."
Natural Translation
Several problems arose during the project.

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