〜がる

がる
suffix
to show signs of, to feel
1. to show signs of, to appear to feel
Suffix attached to the stem of adjectives (both i-adjectives and na-adjectives) to indicate that someone other than the speaker shows outward signs of feeling or wanting something. Since Japanese speakers cannot directly state another person's internal feelings, this suffix is used to describe observable behavior.
子供(こども)が怖(こわ)がっている。
The child is showing signs of being scared.
怖(こわ)い → 怖(こわ)がる
猫(ねこ)が寒(さむ)がって布団(ふとん)に入(はい)ってきた。
The cat seemed cold and got into the futon.
寒(さむ)い → 寒(さむ)がる
あの人(ひと)はいつも新(あたら)しいものを欲(ほ)しがる。
That person always wants new things.
欲(ほ)しい → 欲(ほ)しがる

FORMATION: Attach がる to adjective stems.

USAGE NOTE: Cannot be used for the speaker's own feelings (use the plain adjective instead). Creates a godan verb that conjugates normally: がる → がって → がった → がらない.

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 怖(こわ)がる (to be scared)
  • 寒(さむ)がる (to feel cold)
  • 暑(あつ)がる (to feel hot)
  • 嫌(いや)がる (to dislike, show aversion)
  • 欲(ほ)しがる (to want)
  • 食(た)べたがる (to want to eat)

The suffix creates objective descriptions of others' emotional states, respecting Japanese norms about not claiming to know others' inner feelings directly.

Related Words

Related: 嫌(いや)がる
general
Added 2026.1.11 21:54 · Revised 2026.5.24 5:12
03000/03089_garu