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:

この処理は時間がかかります。

Kono shori wa jikan ga kakarimasu

This process takes time.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 処理 - noun meaning "processing" or "handling"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 時間 - noun meaning "time"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• かかります - verb meaning "to take time" or "to be slow", conjugated in the present tense

この説明はとても分かりやすいです。

Kono setsumei wa totemo wakariyasui desu

This explanation is very clear.

This explanation is very easy to understand.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 説明 - noun meaning "explanation"
• は - particle that marks the topic of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 分かりやすい - adjective that means "easy to understand"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

この問題は私の知識に当てはまるかどうかわかりません。

Kono mondai wa watashi no chishiki ni atehamaru ka dou ka wakarimasen

I don't know if this problem applies to my knowledge.

• この問題 - This question
• は - Topic particle
• 私の - mine
• 知識 - Knowledge
• に - Particle indicating target or location
• 当てはまる - Be applicable or appropriate
• かどうか - Whether or not
• わかりません - I don't know

何と言っていいか分からない。

Nanto itte ii ka wakaranai

I do not know what to say.

I do not know what to say.

• 何と言っていいか - Japanese expression meaning "I don't know what to say"
• 分からない - Japanese verb meaning "not to understand"

全ては繋がっている。

Subete wa tsunagatte iru

Everything is connected.

• 全て (substantivo) - means "everything" or "everyone"
• は (partícula) - indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "everything"
• 繋がっている (verbo) - means "to be connected" or "to be connected"

全然わかりません。

Zenzen wakarimasen

I do not understand anything.

I do not know anything.

• 全然 - zenzen - completely/nothing
• わかりません - wakarimasen - I don't understand I don't understand

到底わからない。

Toutéi wakaranai

I don't understand at all.

I do not know anything.

• 到底 - adverb meaning "absolutely" or "completely"
• わからない - verb meaning "not to understand" or "not to comprehend"

原油の価格が上がった。

Genshi no kakaku ga agatta

The price of gross oil increased.

• 原油 - crude oil
• の - Possession particle
• 価格 - price
• が - subject particle
• 上がった - Subiu

噴出した水蒸気が空に舞い上がった。

Funsu shita suijōki ga sora ni maiagatta

The spat out water vapor flew into the sky.

• 噴出した (funsu shita) - verb meaning "to gush" or "to sneeze"
• 水蒸気 (suijouki) - noun meaning "water vapor"
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 空 (sora) - noun meaning "heaven"
• に (ni) - particle indicating the target or location of the action
• 舞い上がった (maiagatta) - verb meaning "to dance up" or "to float", conjugated in the past tense

実際に行ってみなければ分からない。

Jissai ni itte minakereba wakaranai

I don't know if I really won't.

• 実際に - adverb that means "actually"
• 行って - verb form of the verb "ir" in the imperative
• みなければ - negative verbal form of the verb "see" in the conditional
• 分からない - negative verbal form of the verb "entender"