がり means tends to feel or act that way. It is a JLPT N4 Japanese grammar pattern used to describe a person who tends to feel or show a certain trait.
This grammar point often appears in conversation, written explanations, formal notices, and JLPT-style reading questions. If you want to describe a person who tends to feel or show a certain trait, がり is a useful pattern to learn after the N5 basics.
What does がり mean?
Use がり when you want to describe a person who tends to feel or show a certain trait.
Natural translations include:
- tends to
- sensitive to
- tends to; sensitive to
The exact English translation changes with context. Focus on what the grammar point does in the sentence first, then choose the English phrase that sounds natural.
How to form がり
Adjective stem + がり
Examples of the pattern:
- 寒がり
- 怖がり
- 恥ずかしがり
Pay attention to the word form before the pattern. Many JLPT N4 mistakes happen because the meaning is understood, but the grammar is attached to the wrong form.
When is がり used?
Use がり in situations like:
- explaining a condition, reason, decision, or time relationship
- making a sentence more specific than a basic N5 pattern
- understanding natural Japanese in conversation or reading
Tone and register:
- neutral unless the grammar itself is marked as casual, humble, honorific, or formal
- Common in daily speech, textbook examples, and JLPT N4 reading questions
がり example sentences
- 弟は寒がりです。 — My younger brother is sensitive to cold.
- 彼女は怖がりです。 — She is easily scared.
- 私は恥ずかしがりです。 — I am shy.
- 祖父は暑がりです。 — My grandfather is sensitive to heat.
- 子どもは寂しがりです。 — The child tends to get lonely.
Read the Japanese sentence first, then check the English translation. Try to notice what the grammar point contributes: condition, timing, limitation, possibility, decision, politeness, or emphasis.
Nuance of がり
The key nuance is turns a feeling into a personality tendency.
This matters because がり may look simple in English, but the Japanese form tells you whether the speaker is describing a time, a condition, a decision, a possibility, or a social relationship.
For example:
- In context, がり helps make the sentence more precise than a direct English translation.
- Compared with がる, it has a different focus even when both patterns appear in similar sentences.
がり vs がる
Both {jp} and {similar} can appear in related sentences, but they are different.
がり:
- is the target JLPT N4 pattern in this lesson
- carries the specific nuance explained above
がる:
- is useful for comparison because learners often mix it up
- may use a different form, tone, or sentence focus
Quick contrast examples:
- Target pattern: 弟は寒がりです。 — My younger brother is sensitive to cold.
- Related pattern with がる: compare the form and ask whether the sentence is about timing, condition, ability, decision, or politeness.
If you are unsure which one to use, identify the main job of the sentence before translating it into English.
Common mistakes with がり
Watch out for these mistakes:
- Using it with the wrong verb, noun, or adjective form
- Confusing it with がる because the English translation can look similar
- Translating it too literally instead of reading the whole sentence context
A good study habit is to write one short sentence and then change only the grammar point. This makes the difference between similar patterns easier to feel.
Is がり on the JLPT?
Yes. がり is commonly taught as JLPT N4 grammar.
That means learners should be able to:
- recognize it in reading
- understand its nuance in context
- use it in simple original sentences
For test preparation, do not only memorize the English gloss. Practice identifying the words around the grammar point, because JLPT questions often test structure and context together.
Practice questions for がり
Try making your own sentences with these prompts:
- Write one sentence using the basic pattern.
- Change the sentence into polite or casual style if possible.
- Compare it with the related pattern from the comparison section.
Keep the sentences short at first. Once the form feels natural, add time words, places, reasons, or contrast to make the sentence more realistic.
Learn がり with Kanjiru
If you want to review がり together with kanji, vocabulary, and other JLPT N4 patterns, Kanjiru helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.
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