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).

Related words

預かる

azukaru

keep in custody; receive on deposit; take responsibility for

上がる

agaru

to enter; move up; increase; climb; advance; appreciate; get promoted; to improve; visit; be offered; accumulate; finish; arrive at (expenses); bankrupt; start spinning (cocoons); get caught; get agitated; eat; to drink; to die.

カルテ

karute

(From :) (n) clinical records (from: karte)

分かる

wakaru

to be understood

寄り掛かる

yorikakaru

lean on; lean on; lean on; rely on

盛り上がる

moriagaru

awaken; swell; rise

儲かる

moukaru

be profitable; produce a profit

召し上がる

meshiagaru

eat

群がる

muragaru

swarm; to gather

見付かる

mitsukaru

to be found; to be discovered

がる

Romaji: garu
Kana: がる
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: feel

Meaning in English: feel

Definition: There are many things and things. It is thought to be desired.

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How to Write in Japanese - (がる) garu

See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (がる) garu:

Example Sentences - (がる) garu

See below some example sentences:

治療には時間がかかることがあります。

Chiryō ni wa jikan ga kakaru koto ga arimasu

Tratamento pode levar tempo.

Treatment can take time.

治療 - Tratamento médico
には - particle that indicates the target or objective of the action
時間 - time
がかかる - it takes time
ことがあります - expression that indicates that something may happen

東西に広がる景色は美しいです。

Tōzai ni hirogaru keshiki wa utsukushii desu

The landscape that extends from east to west is beautiful.

The scenario that spreads the east and west is beautiful.

東西 - means "east-west".
に - Title that indicates direction or location.
広がる - verb meaning "to spread" or "to extend".
景色 - Noun that means "landscape" or "view".
は - Particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
美しい - Adjective that means "beautiful" or "pretty".
です - verb that indicates the polite and courteous way of stating something.

時間が掛かる。

Jikan ga kakaru

Takes time.

時間 (jikan) - time
が (ga) - subject particle
掛かる (kakaru) - take time, delay

守備がしっかりしているチームは勝利につながる。

Shubi ga shikkari shite iru chīmu wa shōri ni tsunagaru

A team with a strong defense leads you to victory.

A team with a solid defense leads to victory.

守備 - defense
が - subject particle
しっかり - Firmly, securely
している - continuous form of the verb "to do"
チーム - team
は - Topic particle
勝利 - victory
に - target particle
つながる - lead to, conduct to

南北に広がる景色は美しいです。

Nanboku ni hirogaru keshiki wa utsukushii desu

The view stretching south and north is beautiful.

The scenery that has spread to the north and south is beautiful.

南北に - indicates the direction to the southeast
広がる - verb meaning "to spread" or "to extend"
景色 - noun that means "landscape" or "view"
美しい - adjective meaning "beautiful" or "beautiful"
です - linking verb indicating present tense and formality

分かることが大切です。

Wakaru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to understand.

分かる - wakaru - verb meaning "to understand" or "to comprehend"
こと - koto - noun meaning "thing" or "subject"
が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
大切 - taisetsu - Adjective meaning "important" or "valuable".
です - is (a Japanese copula, often used to indicate a state of being) auxiliary verb that indicates the polite or formal form of the sentence

人と心が繋がる。

Hito to kokoro ga tsunagaru

Our hearts are connected with people.

People and hearts are connected.

人 - means "people" in Japanese.
と - is a linking particle in Japanese, which can be translated as "and" or "with".
心 - means "heart" or "mind" in Japanese.
が - is a subject particle in Japanese, which indicates that "heart" is the subject of the sentence.
繋がる - is a verb in Japanese that means "to connect" or "to bind".

パーティーが盛り上がる！

Pātī ga moriagaru!

The party is lively!

パーティー - In Japanese, the word that means "party" is "パーティー" (pātī).
が - particle in Japanese that indicates the subject of the sentence.
盛り上がる - The Japanese verb that means "to cheer up" or "to have fun" is "楽しむ" (tanoshimu).
！ - exclamation mark in Japanese, used to express enthusiasm or surprise.

この新しいビジネスモデルの確立には時間がかかるでしょう。

Kono atarashii bijinesu moderu no kakuritsu ni wa jikan ga kakaru deshou

Establishing this new business model will take time.