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).

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.

Example Sentences - (がる) garu

See below some example sentences:

測量を行う必要があります。

Sokuryō o okonau hitsuyō ga arimasu

It is necessary to carry out the measurement.

You need to carry out the survey.

• 測量 - measurement
• を - object particle
• 行う - accomplish
• 必要 - Necessary
• が - Subject particle
• あります - Exists

注射を怖がらないでください。

Chūsha wo kowagaranaide kudasai

Please don't be afraid to take injections.

Don't be afraid of injection.

• 注射 (chūsha) - injection
• を (wo) - object particle
• 怖がらないで (kowagaranaide) - don't be afraid
• ください (kudasai) - Please

沿岸には美しい景色が広がっています。

Enkou ni wa utsukushii keshiki ga hirogatte imasu

Along the coast

The beautiful landscape is spreading along the coast.

• 沿岸 (engan) - Coast, shoreline
• に (ni) - particle indicating location
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 美しい (utsukushii) - Beautiful, lovely
• 景色 (keishiki) - landscape, view
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 広がっています (hirogatteimasu) - extends, spreads

左に曲がってください。

Hidari ni magatte kudasai

Please turn left.

Turn left, please.

• 左 - means "left" in Japanese.
• に - is a particle that indicates the direction in which something is moving or the location of something.
• 曲がって - is the Japanese form of the verb "to bend", in the present tense and in the imperative.
• ください - is a polite Japanese expression meaning "please" or "do this for me".

右に曲がってください。

Migi ni magatte kudasai

Turn right, please.

Please turn right.

• 右 - means "right" in Japanese.
• に - is a particle that indicates the direction in which the action should be performed.
• 曲がって - is the verb "to bend" conjugated in the imperative, indicating that the action must be carried out.
• ください - is a polite expression that means "please", indicating that the action is a request.

割合が高いですね。

Wariai ga takai desu ne

The proportion is high

The percentage is high.

• 割合 (wariai) - proportion
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 高い (takai) - high
• です (desu) - polite way of being
• ね (ne) - confirmation particle

交差点で右に曲がってください。

Kousaten de migi ni magatte kudasai

Please turn right at the intersection.

Turn right at the intersection.

• 交差点 - means "crossing" in Japanese.
• で - is a particle that indicates the place where the action takes place, in this case, "at the intersection".
• 右に - means "to the right" in Japanese.
• 曲がって - is the verb "curver" in the present tense and in the form -te, which indicates a continuous action.
• ください - is a polite way of asking for something in Japanese, in this case, "please turn to the right."

この図はとてもわかりやすいです。

Kono zu wa totemo wakariyasui desu

This figure is very easy to understand.

This number is very easy to understand.

• この - this
• 図 - figure, image
• は - Topic particle
• とても - very
• わかりやすい - Easy to understand
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

エンジンがかかりません。

Enjin ga kakarimasen

The engine is not starting.

There is no engine.

• エンジン (enjin) - motor
• が (ga) - subject particle
• かかりません (kakarimasen) - won't turn on

このケーキは出来上がりました。

Kono keeki wa dekiagari mashita

This cake is ready.

This cake is completed.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• ケーキ - noun meaning "cake"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 出来上がりました - verb meaning "to be ready" or "to be finished"