Japanese Verb Form: Tagaru

Overview

• The "Tagaru" form is used to express when someone "shows signs of wanting to do" something, often used to discuss others' desires.
• This form is different from the "Tai" form, which is typically used for personal wants.

What Is "Tagaru"?

• The "Tai" form cannot be used to express what others want. Instead, "Tagaru" is used to imply observation of someone's desires.
• Example transformation:
  • "Jerry wants to eat" -> "Jerry is showing signs that he wants to eat."
• It can be attached to adjectives to mean "showing signs of" that adjective.
• Conjugation: Drop the final "i" from the "Tai" form and add "Tagaru".
  • Example: "Tabetai" (want to eat) becomes "Tabetagatteiru" (showing signs of wanting to eat).

How to Use "Tagaru"

• Present Continuous Form: Most commonly used in continuous form "Tagatteiru".
  • Example: "My dog always wants to go outside."
• Simple Present Form: Used for general tendencies or negative statements.
• Examples:
  • "Tabetagatteiru" (Kimura wants to eat) -> More accurately, "Kimura is looking like they want to eat."
  • "Hashiritagatteiru" (Kimura wants to run)
  • "Tatakatteiru" (Kimura wants to fight)
• Negative Example:
  • "Hashiritagatteinai" (Kimura doesn't want to run)

Additional Resources

• For more detailed usage on "Tagaru" with adjectives, visit Tofugu's page on using "Garu" with "i-adjectives".

Conclusion

• "Tagaru" provides a way to safely describe others' desires by making observations rather than assumptions.
• Encourages further learning to become fluent in Japanese.