# がる / がっている: show signs of feeling > Learn how to use がる / がっている, a JLPT N4 Japanese grammar point meaning show signs of feeling, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons. JLPT level: N4 · Updated: 2026-05-17 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n4-garu-gatteiru/ **がる / がっている** means **show signs of feeling**. It is a **JLPT N4** Japanese grammar pattern used to describe another person showing signs of a feeling. This grammar point often appears in conversation, written explanations, formal notices, and JLPT-style reading questions. If you want to describe another person showing signs of a feeling, **がる / がっている** is a useful pattern to learn after the N5 basics. ## What does がる / がっている mean? Use **がる / がっている** when you want to describe another person showing signs of a feeling. Natural translations include: - to show signs of - appear to feel - to show signs of; appear to feel The exact English translation changes with context. Focus on what the grammar point does in the sentence first, then choose the English phrase that sounds natural. ## How to form がる / がっている Adjective stem + がる / がっている Examples of the pattern: - 欲しがる - 寒がっている - 恥ずかしがる Pay attention to the word form before the pattern. Many JLPT N4 mistakes happen because the meaning is understood, but the grammar is attached to the wrong form. ## When is がる / がっている used? Use **がる / がっている** in situations like: - explaining a condition, reason, decision, or time relationship - making a sentence more specific than a basic N5 pattern - understanding natural Japanese in conversation or reading Tone and register: - neutral unless the grammar itself is marked as casual, humble, honorific, or formal - Common in daily speech, textbook examples, and JLPT N4 reading questions ## がる / がっている example sentences - 子どもがおもちゃを欲しがっています。 — The child wants the toy / is showing that they want it. - 犬が寒がっています。 — The dog seems cold. - 妹は恥ずかしがっています。 — My younger sister is acting embarrassed. - 彼は怖がっていました。 — He seemed scared. - 赤ちゃんが眠たがっています。 — The baby seems sleepy. Read the Japanese sentence first, then check the English translation. Try to notice what the grammar point contributes: condition, timing, limitation, possibility, decision, politeness, or emphasis. ## Nuance of がる / がっている The key nuance is **shows visible signs of someone else’s feeling**. This matters because **がる / がっている** may look simple in English, but the Japanese form tells you whether the speaker is describing a time, a condition, a decision, a possibility, or a social relationship. For example: - In context, **がる / がっている** helps make the sentence more precise than a direct English translation. - Compared with **たい**, it has a different focus even when both patterns appear in similar sentences. ## がる / がっている vs たい Both **がる / がっている** and **たい** can appear in related sentences, but they are different. **がる / がっている**: - is the target JLPT N4 pattern in this lesson - carries the specific nuance explained above **たい**: - is useful for comparison because learners often mix it up - may use a different form, tone, or sentence focus Quick contrast examples: - Target pattern: 子どもがおもちゃを欲しがっています。 — The child wants the toy / is showing that they want it. - Related pattern with **たい**: compare the form and ask whether the sentence is about timing, condition, ability, decision, or politeness. If you are unsure which one to use, identify the main job of the sentence before translating it into English. ## Common mistakes with がる / がっている Watch out for these mistakes: - Using it with the wrong verb, noun, or adjective form - Confusing it with **たい** because the English translation can look similar - Translating it too literally instead of reading the whole sentence context A good study habit is to write one short sentence and then change only the grammar point. This makes the difference between similar patterns easier to feel. ## Is がる / がっている on the JLPT? Yes. **がる / がっている** is commonly taught as **JLPT N4** grammar. That means learners should be able to: - recognize it in reading - understand its nuance in context - use it in simple original sentences For test preparation, do not only memorize the English gloss. Practice identifying the words around the grammar point, because JLPT questions often test structure and context together. ## Practice questions for がる / がっている Try making your own sentences with these prompts: - Write one sentence using the basic pattern. - Change the sentence into polite or casual style if possible. - Compare it with the related pattern from the comparison section. Keep the sentences short at first. Once the form feels natural, add time words, places, reasons, or contrast to make the sentence more realistic. ## Learning path for がる / がっている Use **がる / がっている** as part of your **JLPT N4** desire, emotion, and outward-sign grammar toolkit. Separate the speaker’s own feeling from what can be observed about someone else. **がる / がっている** often describes visible signs, desire, or emotional tendency, so person and point of view are the key checks. A good review order is: first make one short sentence with **がる / がっている**, then compare it with [かな](/blog/n4-kana/), and finally add [かしら](/blog/n4-ka-shira/) or [がり](/blog/n4-gari/) to see how the nuance changes. For practice, write one sentence that uses **がる / がっている** in its most literal meaning, one sentence that changes the subject or time expression, and one sentence that contrasts it with one of the related patterns below. ## Related grammar to review next - [かな](/blog/n4-kana/) — contrasts with this pattern from the quotation, thought, and definition grammar group. - [かしら](/blog/n4-ka-shira/) — contrasts with this pattern from the quotation, thought, and definition grammar group. - [がり](/blog/n4-gari/) — compares another pattern for visible desire, feeling, or speaker attitude. - [たがる](/blog/n4-tagaru/) — compares another pattern for visible desire, feeling, or speaker attitude. ## Learn がる / がっている with Hane If you want to review **がる / がっている** together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions. Browse more lessons here: - [All grammar lessons](/blog/) - [JLPT N4 grammar lessons](/blog/n4/)