Grammar Info
N4 Lesson 3: 18/18

たがる
To want to (third person)

Structure
Casual
Polite
Verb[た+ がる
Verb[た+ がります
Details
Register Standard
使用域 一般
Information
As we explored in our lesson about がる, this verb can be used with adjectives, to express the way in which people are acting. However, it can also be partnered with the auxiliary verb たい, to form たがる. This grammar construction is used when expressing that someone is acting like they 'want' to do something.
To use this structure, attach たい to the ます stem form of any verb, then replace the い in たい with がる.
  • ジョンなんでいつも悪口(わるぐち)言(い)いたがるだろう
    I wonder why John always wants to talk badly about people.
  • 皆(みんな)彼(かれ)作(つく)っケーキ食(た)べたがる
    Everyone always wants to eat the cakes that he makes.
Caution
たがる is in contrast to てほしい which means 'to want someone to do (A)'. These differences will need to be practiced, and memorized.
  • 彼(かれ)このステーキ食(た)べたがる
    He will want to eat this steak. (He will act like he wants to)
  • 彼(かれ)にこのステーキ食(た)べてほしい
    I want him to eat this steak. (I want him to)
This is also in contrast to the い-Adjective 欲(ほ)しい 'to want (A)'. To describe that someone seems like they want something (rather than that they want to 'do' something), がる will be paired with this adjective.
  • 田中君(たなかくん)新(あたら)しゲーム見(み)つそのゲームほしがる
    When Tanaka-kun sees a new game, he always wants it.
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彼(かれ)動物園(どうぶつえん)行(い)きたがる
He is acting like he wants to go to the zoo.
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娘(むすめ)いつもスポーツたがる
My daughter always wants to play sports.
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彼女(かのじょ)最近(さいきん)映画(えいが)見(み)たがる
My girlfriend wants to see a recently released movie.
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Books
Genki I 2nd Edition
Page 255
Tae Kim's Japanese Grammar Guide
Page 319