たがる (To want to (Third person))

To want to (Third person)

JLPT N4
Pattern

Verb (ます-stem) + たがる

How it works

たがる describes what someone else wants to do, based on how they behave: 行きたがる (wants to go). Use たい for your own wishes. It is usually in the ている form: 行きたがっている.

Examples

  • 弟は 外で あそびたがって います。My little brother wants to play outside.
  • 子どもは あまい ものを 食べたがる。Children always want to eat sweet things.

Related grammar

Further reading

Bunpro N4 · Lesson 3

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