Japanese word

欲しがる

Pronunciation

Romajihoshigaru

Meaning

  • verbseem to want

Example

妹はその人形を欲しがっています。imōto wa so no nin gyō o ho shi ga tte i ma su

My sister seems to want that doll.

Illustration for 欲しがる (seem to want)

More examples

子どもは店で見たおもちゃを欲しがりました。ko do mo wa mise de mi ta o mo cha o ho shi ga ri ma shi ta

The child seemed to want the toy he saw at the store.

Core concept

Presents a person's wish for something as an observable feeling that can be inferred from what they say or do.

Common phrases

  • おもちゃを欲しがるo mo cha o ho shi ga ru

    seem to want a toy

  • 何でも欲しがるnan de mo ho shi ga ru

    seem to want everything

Similar words

求めるmotomeru: To seek or ask for something that is wanted.
望むnozomu: To wish for something or hope that it will happen.
願うnegau: To wish strongly for something or hope for a particular result.

Definition in Japanese

他人が物などを欲しいと思い、その気持ちを言葉や態度に表す。ta nin ga mono na do o ho shi i to omo i so no ki mo chi o koto ba ya tai do ni arawa su

Word origin

欲しがる (hoshigaru) is a Japanese native formation from 欲しい (hoshii, "wanted") and the suffix がる (garu, "show signs of a feeling").

Usage tips

  • The subject of 欲しがる (hoshigaru) is often a third person, so the word helps describe what someone else appears to want without directly stating that person's thoughts.

Other meanings

  • wantverb

Word lists with this word