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:

彼の行方は分からない。

Kare no yukue wa wakaranai

I don't know where he went.

I don't know where he goes.

• 彼の行方 - "Kare no yukue" means "his whereabouts".
• は - "Wa" is a grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 分からない - "Wakaranai" means "I don't know" or "I don't understand."

彼女は私に何を問うのか分からない。

Kanojo wa watashi ni nani o tou no ka wakaranai

I don't know what she is asking me.

She doesn't know what she asks.

• 彼女 - She
• は - Topic particle
• 私に - for me
• 何を - what
• 問う - to ask
• のか - Particle that indicates a question
• 分からない - I don't know

海岸には美しい景色が広がっています。

Kaigan ni wa utsukushii keshiki ga hirogatte imasu

Beautiful landscapes are spreading on the coast.

• 海岸 - coast, beach
• に - particle indicating location
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 美しい - Beautiful, lovely
• 景色 - landscape, view
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 広がっています - extends, spreads

消費税が上がった。

Shouhizei ga agatta

The consumption tax increased.

The consumption tax increased.

• 消費税 - Consumption tax
• が - Subject particle
• 上がった - Subiu

火口から煙が立ち上がっている。

Kakou kara kemuri ga tachiagatte iru

Smoke is leaving the crater.

The smoke is standing from the crater.

• 火口 (kakou) - volcano eruption
• から (kara) - from, starting at
• 煙 (kemuri) - smoke
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 立ち上がっている (tachiagatteiru) - It's rising, it's rising

煙突から煙が立ち上がっている。

Enototsu kara kemuri ga tachiagatte iru

Smoke is leaving the chimney.

The smoke is standing from the chimney.

• 煙突 (entotsu) - chimney
• から (kara) - from, starting at
• 煙 (kemuri) - smoke
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 立ち上がっている (tachiagatteiru) - It's rising, it's rising

私はあなたの貴重品を預かります。

Watashi wa anata no kichouhin wo azukari masu

I will take care of your value objects.

I will keep your objects of value.

• 私 - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• あなた - Japanese personal pronoun meaning "you"
• の - possessive particle that indicates that something belongs to someone
• 貴重品 - Japanese noun that means "valuable object"
• を - direct object particle indicating the object of the action
• 預かります - Japanese verb that means "to receive in deposit"

繋がりを大切にしましょう。

Tsunagari wo taisetsu ni shimashou

Let's value our connections.

Let's value the connection.

• 繋がり (tsunagari) - connection, relationship
• を (wo) - object particle
• 大切 (taisetsu) - important, valuable
• に (ni) - target particle
• しましょう (shimashou) - Kindly form of the verb "fazer", indicating a suggestion or invitation

訳が分からない。

Wakari ga wakaranai

I do not understand reason / do not understand the situation.

I do not know why.

• 訳 (yaku) - means "translation" or "explanation"
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 分からない (wakaranai) - means "not understanding" or "not comprehending"