JLPT N3・N5 Grammar -Difference between “〜たい” and “〜がる”

Table of Contents

1. Difference between “〜たい” and “〜がる”
2. 〜がほしい
3. 〜たい
4. 〜がる
5. Let’s Compare
6. When expressing emotions in the second or third-person
7. Summary
8. Quiz
9. Similar Articles
10. Comment

Q: Are there any differences in meaning between “〜たい” and “〜がる”?

A: “〜たい” is used to express the speaker’s own desires and wants, while “〜がる” is used to express the desires and wants of a second or third person.

〜がほしい (JLPT N5)

[Meaning]
Expresses the speaker’s desire or wish to obtain something

[Rule]　　
[N] Noun＋が＋ほしい

[Examples]
新あたらしいカメラが欲ほしいです。
I want a new camera.

もっと休やすみが欲ほしいです。
I want more vacation days.

ゆみさんはどんなかばんが欲ほしいですか？
What kind of bag do you want, Yumi?

〜たい (JLPT N5)

[Meaning]
Expresses the speaker’s desire or wish to do something

[Rules]　
[V] Verb stem form＋たい
[V] Verb stem form＋たくない
[V] Verb stem form＋たかった
[V] Verb stem form＋たくなかった

[Examples]
今日きょうは疲つかれたから早はやく帰かえりたいです。
I’m tired today, so I want to go home early.

夏休なつやすみはキャンプに行いきたいです。
I want to go camping during summer vacation.

今日きょうはステーキが食たべたいなあ。
I want to eat steak today.

〜がる (JLPT N3)

[Meaning]
① Used when the speaker observes someone showing a desire to do or want something.
② Connects with specific adjectives that express emotions or sensations, indicating that the person appears to be feeling or experiencing that emotion or sensation.

[Rules]
[V] Verb たい form + がる
[A] い adjective い ＋がる
[Na] な adjective な ＋がる
* For negative form, use “がらない”.

[Point]
When connecting to adjectives, use it with specific emotions or feelings as shown below.
Examples: 苦くるしい(painful), 悔くやしい(frustrating), 嬉うれしい(happy), 羨うらやましい(envious), 面白おもしろい(interesting)、痛いたい(painful), 寂さびしい(lonely), 怖こわい(scary), 恥はずかしい(embarrassed), 珍めずらしい(rare), 強つよい(strong), ありがたい(grateful), 嫌いやな(unpleasant), 不思議ふしぎな(mysterious), 不安ふあんな(anxious), etc.

[Examples]
娘むすめはケーキを食たべたがっています。
My daughter wants to eat the cake.

息子むすこは犬いぬを怖こわがっています。
My son is afraid of dogs.

山本やまもとさんは残業ざんぎょうするのを嫌いやがりました。
Mr. Yamamoto disliked working overtime.

Let’s Compare

When talking about the speaker’s desires or wants, use “〜たい／たくない”.

[Examples]
わたしはジュースを飲のみたいです。
I want to drink juice.

わたしは何なにも食たべたくないです。
I don’t want to eat anything.

When talking about others, use “〜たがる/〜たがらない.”

[Examples]
わたしの妹いもうとはジュースを飲のみたがっています。
My sister wants to drink juice.
⇒ Although the younger sister is part of the family, she is a third person, so “〜がる” is used.
　　　　　　　　
犬いぬは病気びょうきになってから、何なにも食たべたがらない。
Since the dog got sick, it hasn’t wanted to eat anything.
⇒ A dog is also a third person, so instead of “食たべたくない,” use the negative form of “〜がる,” which is “〜がらない.”

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[Nをほしがる]

When expressing the speaker’s desires or wants with “ほしい,” use the “が” particle as in “わたしはNがほしいです。” However, when using “〜ほしがる” for the second or third person, use the “を” particle as in “〇〇はNをほしがっています。“

[Examples]
わたしはあのピンクのドレスがほしいです。
I want that pink dress.
⇒ This indicates the speaker’s own desire.

友達ともだちはあの青あおいドレスをほしがっています。
My friend wants that blue dress.
⇒ Since the friend is a third person, use “Nをほしがる.”

When expressing emotions in the second or third-person

When expressing the emotions in the second or third person, use “～がる“.

[Examples]
〇 子供こどもは病院びょういんに行いくのを嫌いやがっています。
× 子供こどもは病院びょういんに行いくのを嫌いやです。
My child doesn’t want to go to the hospital.

いつも犬いぬは父ちちが帰かえって来くるとうれしがります。
The dog always gets excited when my father comes home.

[When you should not use “〜がる”]

The expression “〜がる” implies that the speaker is observing the feelings or behavior of someone else. (It is natural to observe the emotions or behaviors of close family members or pets, so using “〜がる” in these contexts is acceptable.)

Japan is a small island nation defined as a homogeneous country. Many people share similar environments, speak the same language, and receive a common level of education. Therefore, unlike in multicultural nations, communication can often occur without explicitly stating one’s opinions.

Japanese language learners may have noticed this through the indirect nature of Japanese expressions.

Given this background, it is uncommon for Japanese people to clearly express their desires or feelings. They often prefer not to reveal their wants to others.

However, to understand someone else’s desires or feelings, it becomes necessary to observe them. In Japan, doing so with a senior or superior can be seen as condescending and extremely rude.

Therefore, when referring to the feelings or desires of a senior or superior, avoid using “〜がる” and instead use the following expressions.

[Examples]
〇 先生せんせいは飲み物の　ものを飲のみたいとおっしゃっています。
× 先生せんせいは飲み物の　ものを飲のみたがっています。
The teacher is saying that he wants to drink something.
⇒ Use the honorific form “おっしゃる” to directly report what the teacher said.　

〇 計画けいかくがうまく進すすんでいて社長しゃちょうはとてもうれしそうです。
× 計画けいかくがうまく進すすんでいて社長しゃちょうはとてもうれしがっています。
The plan is going well, and the president looks very pleased.
⇒ “そうだ” is used to convey the speaker’s impression or observation of the situation.
　 Unlike “〜がる,” it does not carry the connotation of observation.

Summary

「（が）ほしい」・「～たい」

• Express the speaker’s desires and wants.

「（を）ほしがる」・「〜たがる」

• Express the desires and wants of the second or third person.
• This expression cannot be used for superiors, so it requires careful attention.

Quiz

Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.

Click on the question to check the answer.

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