がる
To feel, To think, To act as if, To want, To desire
Structure
［な］Adjective + がる
Explanation
The う-Verb がる is most often seen as a suffix in the Japanese language. When attached to another word (A), it conveys the meaning of 'to show signs of being (A)' or 'to seem (A)'.
To form this grammar, attach がる to the stem of an い-Adjective (by dropping the final い), or directly to a な-Adjective (without the な).
- 弟は一人になるとすぐ寂しがるから、いつも誰かと一緒にいる。My little brother gets lonely easily when he's by himself, so he's always with someone.
- 猫が嫌がるので、大きな音を出さないでください。The cat doesn't like it, so please don't make loud noises.
The verb がる expresses an outward appearance, meaning 'to seem (A)' or 'to give the impression of (A)'. This distinction is critical in Japanese, as one generally avoids stating another person's feelings as fact. If someone has told you their feelings directly, you would typically quote them using the particle と.
- 田中さんはその映画を見たいと思います。I think Mr. Tanaka wants to see that movie.
You should use がる when you are speculating about someone else's feelings based on their actions or appearance, without having been told directly. For instance, if you notice someone yawning repeatedly, you might say the following.
- あの子、眠がっているよ。もう寝る時間だね。That child seems sleepy. It's about time for bed, isn't it? (Natural Japanese, as がる describes an observation of their behavior, not a statement about their internal feelings)
The primary distinction between がる and がっている lies in the time frame. がる describes a person's general tendency or habitual behavior, while がっている refers to how someone appears to be feeling or acting at a specific moment.
- うちの犬は雷の音を聞くと、いつも怖がる。Our dog always gets scared whenever it hears thunder.
- リサさんはケーキを食べたがっている。It looks like Lisa wants to eat some cake.
Caution
It is also possible to use がる to talk about yourself. This is done when you are describing your own actions from an external perspective, or how you imagine others perceive your behavior.
- 私は人前で話すのを恥ずかしがるタイプです。I'm the type of person who gets shy about speaking in front of people. (This is how I tend to act)
- 私はすごく旅行に行きたがっているけど、仕事が忙しくて時間がない。I've really been wanting to go on a trip, but I'm too busy with work and don't have time. (My desire to go is probably obvious)
Fun Fact
In contemporary Japanese, the use of がっている to describe someone's current state is becoming less frequent. It is now very common to use そう instead, which also expresses that someone or something 'looks' or 'seems' to be in a certain state.
- 子供たちが楽しがっているね。The children look like they're having fun, don't they? (They are acting as if they're having fun)
- 子供たちが楽しそうだね。The children look like they're having fun, don't they? (They seem to be having fun)
Examples
私の犬は一人になると、寂しがる。
My dog seems lonely when he is left by himself.
妹はディズニーランドに行きたがる。
My little sister is eager to go to Disneyland.
彼は私の新しいスマホを羨ましがっている。
He's acting envious of my new smartphone.
息子は昨日、お腹を痛がっていた。
My son was complaining that his stomach hurt yesterday.
負けても、悲しがらないで。よく頑張ったよ。
Even if you lose, don't be sad. You did your best.
宿題を面倒くさがる生徒が多い。
There are many students who act like doing homework is a pain.
プレゼントをあげたら、きっと嬉しがるよ！
If you give her that present, she'll surely be delighted!
あの子、ずっとケーキを食べたがっている。
That child keeps showing that they want to eat cake.
猫が暑がっているから、エアコンをつけよう。
The cat is showing signs of being hot, so let's turn on the AC.
彼女は注射をひどく嫌がる。
She has a strong aversion to getting shots.
人前でそんなに恥ずかしがるな。
Don't be so shy in front of other people.
彼は試合に負けて、今ごろ悔しがっているだろう。
He lost the match, so he's probably feeling really frustrated right about now.