1.
to want; to show signs of wanting
Used to describe when someone (usually a third person) displays behavior indicating they want something.
子どもがおもちゃを欲しがっている。
The child wants a toy.
彼女はいつも新しい服を欲しがる。
She always wants new clothes.
人の持っているものを欲しがるのはよくない。
It's not good to covet what others have.
VERB TYPE:
他動詞 (transitive verb)
CONJUGATION:
Godan verb (五段動詞) ending in る
- 欲しがらない (negative)
- 欲しがって (te-form)
- 欲しがった (past)
GRAMMAR NOTE:
This is the -がる form of the i-adjective 欲しい. The -がる suffix converts adjectives describing internal feelings into verbs that describe observable behavior. It is typically used for third persons, as Japanese speakers generally don't claim to observe their own feelings from outside.
欲しい vs 欲しがる:
- 欲しい - I want (1st person, direct)
- 欲しがる - (someone) wants, shows signs of wanting (3rd person, observed)
OTHER -がる VERBS:
- 怖がる - to be afraid (from 怖い)
- 恥ずかしがる - to be shy (from 恥ずかしい)
- 寂しがる - to feel lonely (from 寂しい)
- 嫌がる - to dislike (from 嫌)