Adj stem + がる

[To Show Signs of / To Feel (Third Person)]

Connection: i-Adj stem (drop い) + がる OR na-Adj stem + がる

がる turns adjectives into verbs that express visible signs of feelings or states, typically used for third-person subjects. It indicates observable behavior.

Formation:

• i-Adjective: Drop い, add がる
  • 怖い → 怖がる (to show fear, to be scared)
  • 欲しい → 欲しがる (to show desire for, to want [third person])
• na-Adjective: Stem + がる
  • 嫌だ → 嫌がる (to show dislike, to be reluctant)

Why use がる? In Japanese, you can't directly apply adjectives like 欲しい or 怖い to third-person subjects because these express internal states. がる makes them observable actions/behaviors.

がる conjugates as a u-verb: がる、がります、がった、がらない, etc.

Examples:

子供が犬を怖がっています。(The child is showing fear of the dog / is scared of the dog.)

弟は新しいゲームを欲しがっている。(My younger brother wants a new game [showing desire].)

彼女は野菜を嫌がります。(She dislikes vegetables [shows reluctance to eat them].)