B1 noun #2,500 رایج‌ترین 3 دقیقه مطالعه

~がる

This suffix is used to talk about what someone else is feeling or wanting.

garu

Explanation at your level:

Hi there! The little word ~がる (garu) helps us talk about how *other people* feel. Imagine you see your friend shivering. You can use ~がる to say, 'They seem cold!' It’s like guessing someone's feelings based on what they do. We don't use it for ourselves, only for others. It's a fun way to describe what you see!

The suffix ~がる (garu) is used in Japanese to describe the emotions or desires of a third person – someone other than yourself or the person you're talking to. For example, if a child is crying, you might say they 泣きたがる (nakitagaru), meaning 'they seem like they want to cry'. It’s attached to the base form of certain adjectives and verbs. Remember, it's about observing others, not stating your own feelings.

The Japanese suffix ~がる (garu) is a valuable tool for expressing the perceived emotions, desires, or sensations of a third party. It's formed by attaching ~がる to the stem of i-adjectives (e.g., 暑い -> 暑がる, 'to seem hot') or the -tai form of verbs (e.g., 欲しい -> 欲しがる, 'to seem to want'). This suffix implies an inference based on observable behavior, distinguishing it from direct self-expression. It’s commonly used in storytelling and descriptive language.

Utilizing the suffix ~がる (garu) allows for a more nuanced description of third-person subjective states in Japanese. It transforms adjectives and verbs into expressions of apparent emotion or desire, such as 寂しがる (sabishigarū - to seem lonely) or 帰りたがる (kaeritagarū - to seem to want to go home). Crucially, its application is restricted to the third person; using it for oneself is grammatically incorrect and semantically odd. Understanding this restriction is key to natural Japanese expression.

The suffix ~がる (garu) functions as a crucial marker for inferential reporting of third-person affective states and desires. Its grammatical integration with adjective stems and verb -tai forms (e.g., 寒がる, 飲みたがる) allows speakers to convey observations and interpretations of others' internal experiences. This contrasts with direct speech or reporting, adding a layer of subjective distance and inference. Mastery involves recognizing its specific semantic domain and avoiding its application to the first person, which would violate pragmatic norms.

The suffix ~がる (garu) represents a sophisticated grammatical mechanism for expressing reported affect and volition in Japanese. Its etymological roots likely lie in older auxiliary verbs indicating appearance or manifestation, which have since grammaticalized. The suffix's restriction to the third person is a fundamental aspect of its usage, reflecting a cultural emphasis on indirectness and observational inference in describing others' states. Advanced learners will appreciate its role in narrative voice, character development, and subtle social commentary, distinguishing it from direct subjective claims and enhancing descriptive richness.

واژه در 30 ثانیه

  • ~がる is a suffix indicating a third person's apparent emotion or desire.
  • It's attached to i-adjective stems or verb -tai forms.
  • Crucially, it's ONLY used for 'he', 'she', 'they', NOT 'I' or 'we'.
  • It implies observation and inference, not direct knowledge.

Hey there! Let's dive into the super useful Japanese suffix ~がる (garu). Think of it as a way to talk about what other people are feeling or wanting, especially when you can see it or guess it from their actions. It's attached to the stem of certain words, like adjectives or verbs, to show that someone else is experiencing a feeling or desire.

For instance, if someone looks like they're thirsty, you can use this suffix to describe that. It's not about your own feelings, but about observing and interpreting the feelings of others. This makes it a really important tool for describing social interactions and understanding what's going on around you in Japanese!

The exact origin of ~がる is a bit tricky to pinpoint with absolute certainty, as is common with many grammatical elements that evolve organically in language. However, linguists generally believe it stems from older verb forms or auxiliary verbs that indicated a state or appearance. Some theories suggest a connection to verbs related to 'showing' or 'seeming'.

Over time, this element became grammaticalized, meaning it solidified its role as a suffix rather than a standalone word or a more flexible auxiliary. Its usage became standardized to specifically denote the third-person perspective, distinguishing it from direct expressions of one's own feelings. This evolution allowed for more nuanced communication about empathy and observation in Japanese.

You'll most often see ~がる attached to the stem of i-adjectives (after removing the final い) and some verbs. It's crucial to remember that it's almost exclusively used for the third person – that means talking about 'he', 'she', 'it', 'they', or specific people, but *not* 'I' or 'we'. Using it for yourself would sound very strange!

Common combinations include adjectives like 寒い (samui - cold) becoming 寒がる (samugaru - to seem cold), or 嬉しい (ureshii - happy) becoming 嬉しがる (ureshiga ru - to seem happy). With verbs, you might see things like 泣く (naku - to cry) becoming 泣きたがる (nakitagaru - to seem like they want to cry). It’s a fantastic way to add descriptive detail when you're narrating a story or describing someone's behavior.

While ~がる itself is a grammatical element rather than a word that appears in traditional idioms, its function often overlaps with idiomatic expressions that describe emotional states. The suffix itself allows for nuanced descriptions that can feel idiomatic in their common usage.

For example, 恥ずかしがる (hazukashigarū) means 'to be shy' or 'to act shyly', often used when someone is embarrassed by attention. Similarly, 寂しがる (sabishigarū) means 'to seem lonely' or 'to act lonely'. These aren't fixed idioms with hidden meanings, but rather common, natural ways the suffix is used to paint a picture of someone's feelings.

The suffix ~がる is attached to the stem of i-adjectives (e.g., 暑い -> 暑) and the stem of certain verbs (often in the -tai form, e.g., 食べたい -> 食べ). It transforms these into verbs that describe the third person's state.

Pronunciation: The suffix is pronounced /ɡa.ɾu/. It's a straightforward pronunciation. When combined, the stress usually falls on the syllable before the suffix. For example, in 寒がる (sa.mu.ɡa.ɾu), the emphasis is on 'ga'. Rhyming words are difficult as it's a suffix, but words ending in '-garu' would rhyme. Common pronunciation errors might involve misplacing the stress or incorrectly attaching it to the wrong word type.

Fun Fact

The suffix ~がる is a fantastic example of grammaticalization, where a word or phrase gradually loses its original meaning and becomes a functional part of grammar.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈɡæ.ɹu/

Sounds like 'ga-roo', with a slight roll on the 'r'.

US /ˈɡæ.ɾu/

Sounds like 'ga-roo', with a quick 'd' sound for the 'r'.

Common Errors

  • Pronouncing it as 'ga-ru' without the slight 'r' sound.
  • Adding an extra vowel sound.
  • Misplacing stress if used within a longer word.

Rhymes With

あがる (agaru) さがる (sagaru) たが (taga) はかる (hakaru) まがる (magaru)

Difficulty Rating

خواندن 2/5

Easy to read once the suffix is understood.

Writing 3/5

Requires careful attention to word choice and conjugation.

Speaking 3/5

Natural usage requires practice and awareness of context.

شنیدن 2/5

Commonly heard, easier to catch once familiar.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

basic i-adjectives (e.g., 寒い, 暑い, 楽しい) basic verbs (e.g., 食べる, 行く, 泣く) the -tai form of verbs (e.g., 食べたい, 行きたい)

Learn Next

~そうだ (sou da) for appearance/hearsay ~ように見える (you ni mieru) for general appearance ~てしまう (te shimau) for completion/regret

پیشرفته

Grammaticalization Nuances of indirect speech Narrative voice in Japanese literature

Grammar to Know

Conjugation of Japanese Verbs

寒がる (samugaru) conjugates like a Group 1 verb: 寒がらない (samugaranai), 寒がった (samugatta), etc.

Formation of the -tai Form

The -tai form is crucial for attaching ~がる to verbs (e.g., 飲む -> 飲みたい -> 飲みたがる).

Adjective Stems

Understanding how to find the stem of i-adjectives is necessary (e.g., 暑い -> 暑).

Examples by Level

1

子供は寒がる。

Child / cold / seems to feel.

Suffix -garu attached to adjective stem 寒 (samu).

2

赤ちゃんは眠がる。

Baby / sleep / seems to want.

Suffix -garu attached to verb stem 眠 (nemuri).

3

彼は暑がる。

He / hot / seems to feel.

Suffix -garu attached to adjective stem 暑 (atsu).

4

彼女は嬉しがる。

She / happy / seems to feel.

Suffix -garu attached to adjective stem 嬉 (ureshi).

5

猫は甘えたがる。

Cat / spoiled / seems to want.

Suffix -garu attached to verb stem 甘えた (amaeta).

6

犬は遊ぶのを欲しがる。

Dog / play / 's / want / seems to.

Suffix -garu attached to verb stem 欲し (hoshi).

7

弟は怖がる。

Younger brother / fear / seems to feel.

Suffix -garu attached to adjective stem 怖 (kowai).

8

娘は疲れたがる。

Daughter / tired / seems to want.

Suffix -garu attached to verb stem 疲れた (tsukareta).

1

The child seems to feel cold.

子供は寒がる。

-garu indicates third-person feeling.

2

The baby appears to want to sleep.

赤ちゃんは眠たがる。

Derived from 眠たい (nemutai - sleepy).

3

He looks like he's feeling hot.

彼は暑がる。

Derived from 暑い (atsui - hot).

4

She seems happy.

彼女は嬉しがる。

Derived from 嬉しい (ureshii - happy).

5

The cat seems to want affection.

猫は甘えたがる。

Derived from 甘える (amaeru - to be spoiled/seek affection).

6

The dog appears to want to play.

犬は遊びたがる。

Derived from 遊ぶ (asobu - to play).

7

My younger brother seems scared.

弟は怖がる。

Derived from 怖い (kowai - scary).

8

My daughter looks tired.

娘は疲れたがる。

Derived from 疲れる (tsukareru - to get tired).

1

The student seemed to be struggling with the difficult problem.

学生は難しい問題に苦しんでいるように見えた。

苦しがる (kurushigarū) - to seem to suffer.

2

He acted like he didn't want to go.

彼は行きたがらないように振る舞った。

行きたがる (ikitagarū) - to seem to want to go.

3

The audience appeared to enjoy the performance.

観客はパフォーマンスを楽しんでいるように見えた。

楽しむ (tanoshimu) -> 楽しがる (tanoshigarū) - to seem to enjoy.

4

She looked embarrassed when everyone stared at her.

皆に見つめられて、彼女は恥ずかしがった。

恥ずかしがる (hazukashigarū) - to seem shy/embarrassed.

5

The child seemed to be afraid of the dark.

子供は暗闇を怖がるようだった。

怖がる (kowagarū) - to seem to fear.

6

He seemed to be longing for his hometown.

彼は故郷を懐かしがっているようだった。

懐かしがる (natsukashigarū) - to seem nostalgic.

7

The little boy appeared to want a toy.

その男の子はおもちゃを欲しがっているように見えた。

欲しがる (hoshigarū) - to seem to want.

8

She acted like she didn't want to be disturbed.

彼女は邪魔されたくないように見えた。

邪魔されたくない (jamawaretakunai) -> 邪魔されたがらない (jamawaretagaranai).

1

The old man seemed to miss the days of his youth.

老人わ若かりし頃を懐かしがっているようだった。

懐かしがる (natsukashigarū) - to seem nostalgic for.

2

Despite his tough exterior, he often appeared to be lonely.

彼は強面にもかかわらず、しばしば寂しがっていた。

寂しがる (sabishigarū) - to seem lonely.

3

The students in the back row seemed to be struggling to hear the lecture.

後列の学生は講義を聞き取るのに苦労しているように見えた。

聞き取る (kikitoru) -> 聞き取りたがる (kikitoritagaru) - to seem to want to hear.

4

She couldn't hide her excitement and visibly seemed to be looking forward to the trip.

彼女は興奮を隠せず、明らかに旅行を楽しみにしているようだった。

楽しみにする (tanoshimi ni suru) -> 楽しみにしているように見える (tanoshimi ni shite iru you ni mieru).

5

The child's constant requests indicated that he really wanted the candy.

子供の絶え間ない要求は、彼がお菓子を本当に欲しがっていることを示していた。

欲しがる (hoshigarū) - to seem to want (often used for children).

6

He seemed reluctant to share his personal information.

彼は個人情報を共有することを渋っているように見えた。

渋る (shiburu) -> 渋りたがる (shiburi tagaru) - to seem reluctant.

7

The audience applauded enthusiastically, appearing to be thoroughly entertained.

観客は熱狂的に拍手し、完全に楽しんでいるように見えた。

楽しむ (tanoshimu) -> 楽しんでいるように見える (tanoshinde iru you ni mieru).

8

She seemed to be feeling quite pleased with herself after the presentation.

彼女はプレゼンテーションの後、自分自身にかなり満足しているように見えた。

満足する (manzoku suru) -> 満足しているように見える (manzoku shite iru you ni mieru).

1

The politician's public display of emotion was seen by some as genuine, while others suspected he was merely feigning distress.

その政治家の公の感情表現は、一部の人には本物と見なされたが、他の人々は彼が単に苦悩を装っているのではないかと疑った。

装う (yosoou) -> 苦悩を装っている (kinō o yosotte iru) - pretending to be distressed. The nuance here is about observed behaviour vs internal state.

2

His constant complaints about the weather suggested he harbored a deep-seated aversion to cold.

天気に対する彼の絶え間ない不満は、彼が寒さを根深い嫌悪していることを示唆していた。

寒がる (samugarū) - to seem cold. The sentence implies a deeper, persistent feeling.

3

The novel vividly portrays the protagonist's yearning for acceptance.

その小説は、主人公の受容への憧れを鮮やかに描写している。

受け入れられることを欲する (ukeirareru koto o hossuru) -> 受け入れられたがる (ukeirareru tagaru) - to seem to want acceptance. The suffix adds a layer of observed or inferred desire.

4

She seemed to be deliberately provoking a reaction from him.

彼女は意図的に彼からの反応を引き出そうとしているように見えた。

反応を引き出す (hannō o hikidasu) -> 反応を引き出したがる (hannō o hikidashitagaru) - to seem to want to provoke a reaction. Implies observation of intent.

5

The way he hesitated before answering implied he was reluctant to reveal the truth.

彼が答える前にためらった様子は、真実を明かすことを渋っていることを示唆していた。

渋る (shiburu) -> 渋りたがる (shiburitagaru) - to seem reluctant. Focuses on the outward signs of reluctance.

6

The child's persistent questioning revealed a curiosity that bordered on interrogation.

子供の絶え間ない質問は、尋問に近い好奇心を表していた。

知りたがる (shiritagarū) - to seem to want to know. Here, the intensity of the questioning implies a strong desire.

7

His ostentatious display of wealth suggested he craved admiration.

彼の富のけばけばしい誇示は、彼が賞賛を切望していることを示唆していた。

賞賛を欲する (shōsan o hossuru) -> 賞賛を欲しがる (shōsan o hoshigarū) - to seem to want admiration. The suffix captures the perceived motivation.

8

The way she averted her gaze suggested she felt ashamed of her actions.

彼女が視線をそらした様子は、自分の行動を恥じていることを示唆していた。

恥じる (hajiru) -> 恥じているように見える (hajite iru you ni mieru) - seems to feel ashamed. The suffix emphasizes the observable shame.

1

The narrative employed the suffix ~がる to subtly underscore the protagonist's perceived alienation, even as he outwardly maintained a facade of contentment.

物語は、主人公が表面的には満足の仮面を維持していたとしても、彼が疎外されていると認識されていることを微妙に強調するために「~がる」という接尾辞を使用した。

This sentence analyzes the grammatical function of ~がる in literature, highlighting its role in conveying inferred states and narrative perspective.

2

Linguistic analysis reveals that the grammaticalization of ~がる from an older auxiliary verb reflects a cultural predisposition towards indirectness in expressing subjective experiences.

言語学的分析は、「~がる」が古い補助動詞から文法化されたことが、主観的経験を表現する際の文化的な間接性への傾きを反映していることを明らかにしている。

Focuses on the etymological and sociolinguistic aspects of the suffix.

3

The character's persistent 'wanting' (欲しがる - hoshigarū) of the forbidden fruit, as depicted in the text, serves as a powerful symbol of human fallibility and desire.

禁断の果実に対する登場人物の絶え間ない「欲しがる」(欲しがる)は、本文に描かれているように、人間の弱さと欲望の強力な象徴として機能している。

Explores the symbolic weight of the suffix in literary contexts, particularly concerning desire.

4

In theatrical performance, actors often utilize exaggerated expressions to convey a character's internal state, effectively 'acting' the emotion implied by ~がる.

演劇においては、俳優はしばしば登場人物の内面状態を伝えるために誇張された表情を使い、「~がる」が示唆する感情を効果的に「演じる」。

Connects the grammatical suffix to performance art and the externalization of internal states.

5

The subtle nuances conveyed by ~がる distinguish it from direct assertion, allowing for a more sophisticated portrayal of psychological states in narrative.

「~がる」によって伝えられる微妙なニュアンスは、直接的な断言とは一線を画し、物語における心理状態のより洗練された描写を可能にする。

Highlights the semantic and pragmatic distinctions between ~がる and direct statements.

6

The historical evolution of ~がる from a verb indicating appearance to a grammaticalized suffix exemplifies the process of semantic bleaching and functional specialization in language change.

外観を示す動詞から文法化された接尾辞へと「~がる」が歴史的に進化してきたことは、言語変化における意味の漂白と機能の専門化のプロセスを例示している。

Discusses the linguistic process of grammaticalization as applied to the suffix.

7

Children who exhibit pronounced 'wanting' behaviors (~たがる) may be signaling unmet developmental needs, requiring careful observation by caregivers.

著しい「欲しがる」行動(~たがる)を示す子供たちは、満たされていない発達上のニーズを信号している可能性があり、養育者による注意深い観察が必要である。

Applies the concept of ~がる to developmental psychology and caregiver observation.

8

The author's deliberate use of ~がる in describing the antagonist's motivations invites the reader to question the authenticity of his expressed suffering.

敵対者の動機を描写する際の「~がる」の作者による意図的な使用は、読者に彼の表明された苦しみの真正性を問うよう促す。

Analyzes authorial intent and reader interpretation in relation to the suffix's function.

ترکیب‌های رایج

寒がる
暑がる
嬉しがる
寂しがる
怖がる
疲れたがる
欲しがる
帰りたがる
知りたがる
甘えたがる

Idioms & Expressions

"子供は風の子"

Children are energetic and don't feel the cold easily (lit. 'children are wind children').

寒くても子供は平気で遊んでいる。まさに子供は風の子だ。

proverb

"顔に書いてある"

It's written all over their face; their expression clearly shows their feelings.

彼は怒っているのが顔に書いてあるよ。

casual

"猫をかぶる"

To put on an innocent act; to pretend to be meek or harmless.

普段は生意気なのに、先生の前では猫をかぶっている。

idiomatic

"肩を落とす"

To be dejected; to feel disappointed.

試験に落ちて、彼は肩を落とした。

idiomatic

"腹を立てる"

To get angry; to become upset.

彼の無責任な態度に腹を立てた。

common

"顔が広い"

To know many people; to have a wide circle of acquaintances.

彼は政界にも顔が広いらしい。

idiomatic

Easily Confused

~がる vs ~そうだ (sou da)

Both can describe appearance or state.

~そうだ is broader; it can describe appearance ('looks like rain'), hearsay ('I heard he's sick'), or inferred states ('looks tired'). ~がる is specifically for inferred emotions, desires, or sensations of a third person.

雨が降りそうだ。(Ame ga furi sou da.) - It looks like it will rain. (Not used with ~がる). 彼は寒そうだ。(Kare wa samusou da.) - He looks cold. vs 彼は寒がる。(Kare wa samugaru.) - He seems to feel cold (observed).

~がる vs ~ように見える (you ni mieru)

Both mean 'appears to be' or 'seems'.

~ように見える is a general phrase for appearance. ~がる is a specific suffix attached to adjective/verb stems to express inferred emotions/desires.

彼は幸せそうに見える。(Kare wa shiawase sou ni mieru.) - He looks happy. (General appearance). 彼は幸せがる。(Kare wa shiawasegaru.) - He seems happy. (More focused on observed emotional state, less common than 幸せそうだ).

~がる vs ~らしい (rashii)

Both can imply guessing or inference about someone's state.

~らしい indicates probability or hearsay based on evidence ('it seems', 'apparently'). ~がる is about direct observation and inference of feelings/desires.

彼は怒っているらしい。(Kare wa okotte iru rashii.) - Apparently, he is angry. (Based on hearsay/evidence). 彼は怒る。(Kare wa okoru.) - He gets angry. (Direct action). 彼は怒りたがる。(Kare wa okaritagarū.) - He seems to want to get angry. (Observed desire).

~がる vs ~ぶる (buru)

Both can relate to how someone acts or appears.

~ぶる often implies pretense or acting ('to pretend to be', 'to put on airs'), often with a negative connotation. ~がる describes an *inferred* state, not necessarily a pretense.

彼は子供ぶる。(Kare wa kodomoburu.) - He acts childishly (pretends). 彼は子供返りする。(Kare wa kodomogaeri suru.) - He acts like a child again. 彼は子供のように泣きたがる。(Kare wa kodomo no you ni nakitagaru.) - He seems to want to cry like a child (observed).

Sentence Patterns

A1-A2

Noun + は/が + [i-adj stem] + がる。

子供は寒がる。

A2-B1

Noun + は/が + [verb -tai form] + がる。

彼は行きたがる。

B1

Noun + は/が + [i-adj stem] + がった (past tense)。

彼女は嬉しがった。

B2

Noun + は/が + [verb -tai form] + がらなかった (negative past tense)。

犬は遊ばなかったがった。

B1-B2

Noun + は/が + [i-adj stem] + がっている (present progressive)。

猫は甘えたがっている。

خانواده کلمه

مرتبط

~そうだ Similar meaning of 'appears to be', but broader.
~ように見える General phrase for 'looks like' or 'appears to be'.
~(ら)しい Indicates probability or hearsay, can imply guessing someone's feelings.

How to Use It

Formality Scale

Most formal: Rarely used in highly formal academic writing unless describing observed behavior. Neutral: Common in general conversation, storytelling, and descriptive writing. Casual: Frequently used in everyday speech. Slang: Not typically considered slang, but its usage is very common across registers.

اشتباهات رایج

Using ~がる for oneself. I feel cold. (私は寒いです。 - Watashi wa samui desu.)
~がる is specifically for the third person. Saying 私は寒がる (Watashi wa samugaru) is incorrect and sounds unnatural.
Attaching ~がる to the wrong verb/adjective form. He seems to want to eat. (彼は食べたがる。 - Kare wa tabetagaru.)
It should be attached to the stem of i-adjectives (e.g., 暑い -> 暑がる) or the -tai form of verbs (e.g., 食べたい -> 食べたがる). Incorrect: 彼は食べるがる (Kare wa taberu garu).
Overusing ~がる when direct statement is better. She is happy. (彼女は嬉しいです。 - Kanojo wa ureshii desu.)
While 嬉しがる (ureshiga ru) means 'seems happy', if you know for sure she is happy, a direct statement is often more appropriate.
Confusing ~がる with ~そうだ (sou da) for appearance. He seems to be suffering. (彼は苦しんでいるようだ。 - Kare wa kurushinde iru you da. OR 彼は苦しがる。 - Kare wa kurushigarū.)
~そうだ often describes appearance based on visual cues (e.g., looks like it will rain), while ~がる specifically refers to inferred emotions/desires. 苦しそうだ (kurushisou da) means 'looks like it's painful/suffering', while 苦しがる (kurushigarū) means 'seems to be suffering' (observed).
Treating ~がる as a general 'to seem' verb. The flower seems to be blooming. (花が咲いているようだ。 - Hana ga saite iru you da.)
~がる is limited to emotions, desires, and sensations, not general states of being like blooming or being broken.

Tips

💡

Memory Palace Trick

Imagine a 'garden' (sounds like 'garu') where you see people shivering (cold), crying (sad), or jumping for joy (happy). You are just observing them in the garden.

💡

When Native Speakers Use It

Native speakers use ~がる constantly when describing children's behavior, pets, or characters in stories. Listen for it when people talk about others' reactions.

🌍

Cultural Insight

Japanese culture often values indirectness. ~がる fits this well, allowing speakers to comment on others' feelings without sounding too direct or intrusive.

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Grammar Shortcut

Remember: i-adjective stem + garu OR verb -tai form + garu. It's all about 'seems to feel/want' for OTHERS.

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Say It Right

Focus on the 'ga-ru' sound. Don't overemphasize the 'r'; it's a light tap of the tongue.

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Don't Make This Mistake

The biggest mistake is using it for yourself! Always double-check if you're talking about 'I' or 'he/she/they'.

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Did You Know?

The suffix ~がる is a great example of how Japanese can create new verbs from existing adjectives and verbs, making the language very flexible!

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Study Smart

Watch anime or dramas and actively identify instances of ~がる. Pause and try to guess the emotion before the subtitles confirm it.

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Verb Conjugation

Remember that ~がる itself conjugates like a regular Group 1 verb (u-verb). So, past tense is ~がった, negative is ~がらない, etc.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Garrr!' like a bear growling because it's cold. You see the bear growl, so you know it's cold (寒がる).

Visual Association

Imagine a person shivering and saying 'Brrr, I'm so cold!' You see them shivering, so you know they *seem* cold.

Word Web

Emotions Desires Third Person Observation Inference Adjectives Verbs

چالش

Observe people around you (or in movies/TV) and try to describe their feelings using the ~がる pattern in your mind.

ریشه کلمه

Japanese

Original meaning: Likely derived from older auxiliary verbs indicating appearance or state.

بافت فرهنگی

Using ~がる appropriately shows empathy and observational skills. Misusing it (e.g., for oneself) can sound childish or incorrect.

In English, we often use phrases like 'seems to be', 'appears to be', 'looks like', or 'acts like' to convey the same meaning. For example, 'He seems cold' instead of 'He is cold'.

Commonly used in children's stories and manga to describe characters' emotions. Found in everyday conversations when observing others' reactions.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Describing children's behavior

  • 子供は寒がる。(The child seems cold.)
  • 子供はおもちゃを欲しがる。(The child seems to want a toy.)
  • 子供は怖がる。(The child seems scared.)

Talking about pets

  • 犬は寂しがる。(The dog seems lonely.)
  • 猫は甘えたがる。(The cat seems to want affection.)
  • 鳥は飛びたがる。(The bird seems to want to fly.)

Narrating stories or describing characters

  • 彼は故郷を懐かしがった。(He seemed nostalgic for his hometown.)
  • 彼女は皆の前で恥ずかしがった。(She seemed embarrassed in front of everyone.)
  • 彼はそれを知りたがっていた。(He seemed to want to know that.)

Observing general human behavior

  • 皆、暑がる。(Everyone seems to feel hot.)
  • 彼は疲れたがっている。(He seems to be tired.)
  • 彼女は話したそうに見えた。(She looked like she wanted to talk.)

Conversation Starters

"Did you see how happy the baby looked when he got the present? He really seemed to be delighted!"

"My cat always acts so lonely when I leave the house. She really seems to miss me."

"The little boy in the story seemed so scared of the dark. What do you think made him feel that way?"

"He looked like he really wanted to join the game, but he was too shy to ask."

"It seems like everyone is feeling the heat today! I know I am."

Journal Prompts

Describe a time you observed someone else feeling a strong emotion (happy, sad, scared, etc.). Use the ~がる pattern to describe their apparent feeling.

Think about a pet you know or have had. Describe a situation where it clearly seemed to want something or feel a certain way, using ~がる.

Write a short scene from a story where a character observes another character's hidden desire or emotion. Use ~がる to convey the observed feeling.

Reflect on a time you were hesitant to do something. How might someone else have described your reluctance using a form of ~がる?

سوالات متداول

8 سوال

No, absolutely not! The suffix ~がる is strictly for the third person (he, she, they). Saying 'I feel cold' would be 私は寒いです (Watashi wa samui desu), not 私は寒がる (Watashi wa samugaru).

It's mainly attached to the stem of i-adjectives (like 寒い -> 寒がる) and the -tai form of verbs (like 食べたい -> 食べたがる).

Yes. ~がる specifically refers to inferred emotions, desires, or sensations of a third person based on observation. ~そうだ is more general and can mean 'looks like' or 'sounds like' for various situations (e.g., weather, appearance).

Yes, it's very common to use ~がる when describing the apparent feelings or desires of animals, especially pets. For example, 猫は甘えたがる (Neko wa amaetagaru - The cat seems to want affection).

That's exactly when ~がる is useful! It implies you're making an educated guess based on their actions or expressions.

No, not at all. It can be used for positive emotions too, like 嬉しがる (ureshiga ru - seems happy) or 楽しむ (tanoshimu) -> 楽しがる (tanoshiga ru - seems to enjoy).

You conjugate the final 'ru' of ~がる into its past tense form. For example, 寒がる (samugaru) becomes 寒がった (samugatta) in the past tense.

While extremely rare and usually considered non-standard or dialectal, some might use it in very specific, often poetic or archaic contexts. For standard Japanese, stick to the third-person rule.

خودت رو بسنج

fill blank A1

The child looks happy. (子供は____)。

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: 嬉しがる

The sentence describes the child looking happy, so 嬉しがる (ureshiga ru - seems happy) is the correct choice.

multiple choice A2

Which sentence correctly uses ~がる to describe someone else's feeling?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: 彼は寒がる。

~がる is used for the third person. 彼は (kare wa - he) is the third person here. أنا (watashi wa - I) and 君 (kimi wa - you) are first and second person.

true false B1

The suffix ~がる can be used to describe your own feelings.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: نادرست

False. ~がる is specifically for describing the feelings, desires, or sensations of a third person (he, she, they), not the speaker (I, we).

match pairs B1

Word

معنی

All matched!

These pairs match common adjectives/verbs with their meanings when the suffix ~がる is attached.

sentence order B2

کلمات زیر رو بزن تا جمله رو بسازی
درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح:

The correct sentence is 'The dog seems to want to play.' In Japanese, this would be 犬は遊びたがる (Inu wa asobitagaru).

fill blank A1

The baby looks sleepy. (赤ちゃんは____)。

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: 眠がる

眠がる (nemugaru) means 'seems sleepy', which fits the context.

multiple choice B2

Which of the following is NOT a typical use of ~がる?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Expressing your own desire

Expressing your own desire is incorrect. ~がる is exclusively for the third person.

true false C1

The suffix ~がる can be attached to the stem of na-adjectives.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: نادرست

False. ~がる is typically attached to the stem of i-adjectives or the -tai form of verbs, not na-adjectives.

fill blank B1

He acted like he didn't want to go. (彼は行きた____)。

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: がる

The sentence implies a past action or state, so the past tense form 行きたがった (ikitagatta) is appropriate here. However, if the prompt implies 'he seems reluctant to go', then 行きたがらない (ikitagaranai) would be 'doesn't seem to want to go'. Given the options, 'したがった' is the most likely intended past tense of 'want to go'.

multiple choice C2

In literary contexts, what does the use of ~がる often imply?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: An inference or observation of a third party's internal state

In literature, ~がる is often used to convey the narrator's interpretation or observation of a character's feelings or desires, adding a layer of subjectivity or inference.

امتیاز: /10

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