たがる
To want to (Third person)
Structure
Explanation
As we saw in the lesson on がる, this ending is used with adjectives to describe the apparent feelings or behavior of others. It can also be combined with the auxiliary verb たい to make たがる. This grammatical structure is used to express that someone else seems to 'want' to do something, based on their actions or words.
To form this grammar point, take the ます stem of a verb, add たい, and then substitute the final い of たい with がる.
- あの子はなぜいつも一人で座りたがるのかな。I wonder why that child always wants to sit by themself.
- 学生たちはみんな、山田先生の授業を受けたがる。All the students want to take Professor Yamada's class.
Caution
たがる should be distinguished from てほしい, which means 'to want someone else to do (A)'. It is important to practice and commit these different perspectives to memory.
- 彼はその映画を見たがる。He wants to see that movie. (He acts like he wants to)
- 彼にその映画を見てほしい。I want him to see that movie. (I want him to)
This is also different from the い-Adjective 欲しい, which means 'to want (A)'. When you want to describe someone else showing signs of wanting a thing (as opposed to wanting to 'do' an action), がる is attached to this adjective.
- 娘はペットショップの前を通ると、いつも子犬をほしがる。Whenever my daughter passes in front of the pet shop, she always wants a puppy.
Examples
弟は公園で遊びたがる。
My little brother is acting like he wants to play at the park.
息子はいつも手伝いをしたがる。
My son always wants to help.
友達は新しいカフェのケーキを食べてみたがる。
My friend wants to try the cake from the new cafe.
あの人が手伝いたがるなら、お願いしよう。
If that person wants to help, let's ask them.
弟は海外に住みたがって、英語を勉強している。
My little brother wants to live abroad, so he's studying English.
ケンがその高いギターを見て、弾きたがった。
Ken saw that expensive guitar and wanted to play it.
皆はカラオケに行きたがると思う？
Do you think that everyone wants to go to karaoke?
先輩と話したがっている後輩がたくさんいますよ。
There are many junior members who are wanting to talk with you, you know.
チョコレートを食べたがる子供には、まず野菜を食べさせた方がいいと思う。
I think it would be better to have children who want to eat chocolate eat their vegetables first.
便利な道具を発明すれば、多くの人が買いたがる。
If you invent a convenient tool, many people will want to buy it.
彼女は犬を飼いたがるから、きっといい飼い主になるでしょう。
She wants to get a dog, so she will surely become a good owner, right?
兄が留学していたから、妹も海外に行きたがると思った。
Because my older brother was studying abroad, I thought that my younger sister also would want to go abroad.