Translation and Meaning of: がる - garu

The Japanese word がる [garu] is a versatile suffix that frequently appears in everyday language, but often goes unnoticed by beginner students. Its meaning and usage are related to the expression of feelings or observable behaviors in other people. In this article, we will explore what がる really means, how it is applied in sentences, and why it is so common in informal conversations. Additionally, we will provide practical tips for memorizing its use and avoiding common mistakes.

Meaning and usage of がる in the Japanese language

The suffix がる is added to adjectives or nouns to indicate that someone is displaying a feeling or behavior visibly. For example, 寂しがる (sabishigaru) means "to act as if they are lonely" or "to show signs of loneliness." It is often used to describe the reactions of others, especially children or people whose emotions are more evident.

It is important to note that がる is not used to talk about oneself. If you are hungry, you say お腹が空いた (onaka ga suita), but if you are describing someone else who is hungry, you can say お腹が空いたがっている (onaka ga suita garu). This distinction is essential to avoid grammatical errors and to sound more natural in everyday Japanese.

Origin and grammatical structure of がる

The origin of がる is linked to the verb がる, which used to mean "to show" or "to express." Over time, it became a grammaticalized suffix, losing some of its independent meaning. Today, it mainly connects to adjectives in the い form (like 嬉しい → 嬉しがる) or to some nouns (like 恥ずかしさ → 恥ずかしがる).

From a grammatical point of view, がる transforms the word into a Group 1 (godan) verb, meaning its conjugation follows patterns such as がらない (negative) or がった (past). This regularity makes learning easier, but it's important to practice with real examples to internalize its correct usage.

Tips for memorizing and using がる correctly

An effective way to memorize がる is to associate it with situations where emotions are visible. Think of children who do not hide what they feel: 怖がる (kowagaru – to act with fear) or 嬉しがる (ureshigaru – to show happiness). Animes and dramas often use this structure a lot, making it great for contextual learning.

Another tip is to avoid confusing がる with forms like たがる (which indicates the desires of others). While たがる comes from the verb たい (to want), がる has a broader usage. Practicing with sentences from the Suki Nihongo dictionary, which provides real examples, can help differentiate these cases.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 欲しがる (hoshigaru) - To wish, to want something.
• 欲しがりたい (hoshigaritai) - To strongly want something.
• 欲しがっている (hoshigatteiru) - Wanting something at the moment.
• 欲しがります (hoshigarimasu) - To wish (polite form).