Grammar Info

N4 Lesson 3: 18/18

たがるTo want to (Third person)

Structure

Verb［たい］+ がる

Details

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About たがる

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.

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.

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.

Related

Examples

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    彼(かれ)は動物園(どうぶつえん)に行(い)きたがる。

    He is acting like he wants to go to the zoo.

    娘(むすめ)はいつもスポーツをしたがる。

    My daughter always wants to play sports.

    彼女(かのじょ)は最近(さいきん)の映画(えいが)を見(み)たがる。

    My girlfriend wants to see a recently released movie.

    あの子(こ)が帰(かえ)りたがるならいいんじゃない？

    If that kid wants to go home, that's alright, isn't it?

    彼(かれ)はパソコンを買(か)いたがって、週末(しゅうまつ)も働(はたら)いた。

    He wanted to buy a PC, so (and) he even worked weekends.

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