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to show signs of; to appear to be
Definition
The grammar pattern ～がる (garu) is used to describe the emotions or physical sensations of a third person. It converts an i-adjective or na-adjective into a verb by removing the final 'i' or 'na'. This pattern is often used to describe how someone appears to be feeling or what they seem to be experiencing. For example, if someone looks tired, you might say '彼は疲れがる' (He looks tired).
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I-adjective to verb | Verb form name: {i-adjective} + がる | 疲れがる (tiguregaru) from 疲れ (tigure) |
| Na-adjective to verb | Verb form name: {na-adjective} + がる | 寒がる (samagaru) from 寒い (samui) |
| Na-adjective to verb (irregular) | Verb form name: {na-adjective} + す (irregular) | 疲れす (tigure su) from 疲れ (tigure) |
Examples
子供が新しいおもちゃを買ったら、嬉しがる。
Kodomo ga atarashii omocha o katta ra, ureshigaru.
When the child buys a new toy, they get happy.
子供が新しいおもちゃを買ったら (The child buys a new toy) / 嬉しがる (get happy)
彼はいつも寒がるので、たくさん服を着ます。
Kare wa itsumo samagaru node, takusan fuku o kimasu.
He always looks cold, so he wears a lot of clothes.
彼はいつも寒がる (He always looks cold) / ので (because) / たくさん服を着ます (wears a lot of clothes)
恥ずかしがる子が前に来てください。
Hazukashigaru ko ga mae ni kite kudasai.
Please come forward, the shy child.
恥ずかしがる (shy) / 子 (child) / が (subject marker) / 前に (forward) / 来て (come) / ください (please)
Context
～がる is used to describe the emotions or physical sensations of a third person. It is often used in casual conversations and can be used in both formal and informal situations. Be careful not to confuse it with ～そうだ (looks like), which is used to describe a situation or a fact.
Watch out
～がる is used to describe the emotions or physical sensations of a third person, not your own feelings. For example, instead of saying '私は疲れがる' (I am tired), say '私は疲れている' (I am tired).
～がる requires the removal of the final 'i' from i-adjectives and 'na' from na-adjectives. For example, '疲れ' (tigure) becomes '疲れがる' (tiguregaru), not '疲れがる' (tiguregari).
～がる is used to describe the emotions or physical sensations of a third person, while ～そうだ is used to describe a situation or a fact. For example, '彼は疲れそうだ' (He looks tired) is different from '彼は疲れがる' (He looks tired).
Strategy
When taking the JLPT N4 exam, be careful to use ～がる correctly to describe the emotions or physical sensations of a third person. Make sure to drop the final 'i' from i-adjectives and 'na' from na-adjectives, and avoid confusing it with ～そうだ (looks like).
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N4 test-style questions. Each sentence shows ～がる (garu) used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
子供が新しいおもちゃを欲しがっています。
Pattern used: 欲しがって
When a third person (the child) shows they want something, 'garu' is used.
彼はいつも寒がっているので、たくさん服を着ます。
Pattern used: がっている
'Samugatte iru' describes the third person's apparent feeling of being cold.
恥ずかしがらいないで、前に来てください。
Pattern used: がら
'Hazukashigaru' means to act shyly or show embarrassment.
Interactive
子供が新しいおもちゃを______います。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.