How to say 'Want' in Japanese | 欲しがる

word

Meaning

Want

Reading

Kanji

欲Desire, Longing

Explanation

The Japanese verb '欲しがる (ほしがる)' means 'to want' or 'to desire'. It is used to describe someone else's desire or want, often observed from an external perspective. This verb is typically used in the third person, as it implies that the speaker is observing or reporting on someone else's desire. For example: The child wants candy「子供がお菓子を欲しがっている」(こどもがおかしをほしがっている). She seems to want that bag「彼女はそのバッグを欲しがっているみたい」(かのじょはそのバッグをほしがっているみたい). Note that '欲しがる' is different from '欲しい (ほしい)', which is used to express one's own desire directly.

Part Of Speech

verb

Kanji JLPT

N3

Kanji Grade

6

Frequency

1165

Composition

kanji-hiragana

Handwriting