Garu がる

Suffix verb (added to the stem of certain adjectives to give a more subjective feeling, or to tai-form of verb) meaning: (someone) wants/feels (something)

Garu usually takes a 3rd person subject in the progressive form when the subject is specific.

1. After the stem of adjective expressing emotion
彼はもっといい車を欲しがっています。
Kare wa motto ii kuruma o hoshigatte imasu.
He wants a better car.
(the particle ga cannot be used after the direct object with garu)
子供はすぐおばけの話をこわがる。
Kodomo wa sugu obake no hanashi o kowagaru.
Children are easily scared by ghost stories.

2. After the stem of adjective expressing sensation
あのけが人はひどく痛がっています。
Ano kega nin wa hidoku itagatte imasu.
That injured person looks in terrible pain.
彼は外でとても寒がっています。
Kare wa soto de totemo samugatte imasu.
He is very sensitive to cold outside.

3. After conjunctive form of verb + ta
(tai + garu becomes tagaru)
彼女はヨーロッパに行きたがっています。
Kanojo wa youroppa ni ikitagatte imasu.
She is eager to visit Europe.
ギターの人は歌を歌いたがる。
Gitaa no hito wa uta o utaitagaru.
The guitarist wants to sing a song.




-> See also: tai, hoshii